A LARGE housing development looks likely to be approved despite objections from residents.

Proposals have been put forward by Persimmon Homes NE Limited to build 210 homes in Willington.

The development would be built on land formally occupied by the Riding Hall Factory complex, in Low Willington.

Wear Valley District Council is being asked to give full planning permission for the site when its development control committee meets on Thursday.

Persimmon Homes is looking to build a mixture of seven detached and semi-detached house types.

It is proposing 26 two bedroom properties, including eight bungalows, 90 three bedroom properties and 94 four bedroom homes.

Car parking would be provided at a ratio of one to 1.4 spaces per property.

The work would be carried out in three phases. Phase one will be adjacent to Manor Road, phase two on the factory site, and phase three on land north of the factory.

But people living nearby have written numerous letters to the district council and 52 people have signed a petition urging councillors to reject the application.

They believe that the development will be overbearing and overcrowded.

They have also expressed concerns about traffic problems on the A690, which they say cannot cope with the additional traffic. Other concerns include landscaping, trees and how it will effect the nearby cricket club.

Council planning officers have looked into the concerns and are still recommending that councillors pass the development with certain conditions attached.

In a report, the officers said the density of the development was in accordance with government guidelines.

Crook Cricket Club will be provided with a car park with 12 spaces by the developer, and alterations will be made to the A690 to improve traffic conditions.

Stringent measures will also be in place to make sure that the protected trees in Church View will remain and that landscaping is carried out.

Residents have also been assured that work on the site would be restricted to 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to noon on Saturdays.

No work would be done on Sundays and wheel-washing will be available on site to keep mud on the roads to a minimum.