A CALF-REARING business near Darlington could be in jeopardy because of a planning decision.

Darlington Borough Council's planning committee refused a retrospective application for a caravan on land at Killerby Bridge and rejected plans to build a stable block.

Two-day-old calves were being bucket-reared on powdered milk and concentrates on the site.

They were kept for seven months and then sold or finished there and sold for beef.

But Darlington council planning officer Jeremy Smith said independent consultants felt the size of the operation did not justify a temporary or permanent home at Killerby.

An agent for the applicant said there were six calf-rearing kennels on the site and the intention was to move the animals into the stables as they grew.

The applicant needed to live on the holding because it had been a target for criminals on six occasions.

But councillors rejected the application, although Killerby Parish Meeting told the planning department that there had been objections from 70 per cent of households.