PLANS for the North-East's first environmentally friendly housing estate have been thrown out because of its "monotonous and unimaginitive" design.

The decision to refuse permission for the 112-house estate, initially dubbed an "eco-village", has been hailed as a victory by opponents.

The proposal for a futuristic development in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, included homes built with energy-efficient materials, with low-pitched zinc roofs, solar panels and large, south-facing windows to make the most of the sun.

But residents on neighbouring estates said they would look out of character with surrounding houses.

The scheme was initially rejected by Sedgefield Borough Council because of road safety concerns, which led to an appeal by the applicants.

But those problems were later resolved and a second application made.

Planning inspector Shelagh Bussey, who heard three days of evidence, dismissed the appeal.

She said the scheme would be visually monotonous and unimaginative, and that the uniform nature of the box-like houses would lack excitement.

She also said the scheme would be too different from surrounding houses. She said: "It would stand in isolation, rather than forming a distinctive, but complementary, part of the estate."

Speaking on behalf of the delighted residents, David Sutton-Lloyd said: "We simply wanted any property built to be of a high-quality design that both occupants and neighbours would be proud of.

"We would now expect that the second planning application could no longer proceed, as it is based on the same revised plans now rejected by the planning inspector.

"Sedgefield Borough Council should now reconsider how to use this site.

"The local residents would welcome any opportunity to work with Sedgefield Borough Council in the development of any future projects."

Michael Worrall, of Armstrong Worrall Project Management, said he was disappointed by the outcome and that the company would now consider its position.

He said: "We are not bitter. With hindsight, we should have done more consultation, but we are still looking to do something on there that is acceptable to everybody."