PLANS for two bungalows to be built in the back gardens of homes in Sedgefield village will be debated today.

Planning officers at Sedgefield Borough Council are recommending that the application is refused, saying it would be out of keeping with the traditional layout of the village.

Members of the council's development control committee will visit the site, in St Edmunds Terrace, today before returning to the council chamber in Spennymoor to make their decision.

The application has attracted strong opposition from neighbours, Durham County Council and the local civic trust.

The county council's design and conservation officer said: "There is no evidence to suggest from historic records that such a form of development has ever been characteristic of Sedgefield."

The officer said that the principle of developing the land was unacceptable and that approving the application would set a precedent that could lead to the "continual erosion of the character and, in time, appearance of the conservation area".

The borough council's own local plans team noted that the properties in the area were characterised by long rear gardens. The team said: "The proposal would result in the loss of an important historic feature of Sedgefield village."

In a report to members, planning officers said the layout of the site and the proposed access was acceptable, but recommend refusing the application because of the conflict with the conservation area principles.