CONTROVERSIAL plans for the North-East's first "eco-village" will come under scrutiny next week.

A planning application for the green urban village of more than 100 environmentally friendly houses will be determined by Sedgefield Borough Council at a meeting on Tuesday.

The development, called Hall Gardens, is planned for the Cobblers Hall estate in Newton Aycliffe.

It is believed to be the first development of its kind in the country.

It consists of 113 houses, many of which would have solar panels, large south-facing windows and zinc roofs to make them energy-efficient.

But the proposals have drawn strong objections from residents, who initially labelled the plan a "21st Century pit village".

Objectors have set up a committee to oppose the plans and will be speaking against the proposal at the meeting.

Great Aycliffe Town Council has also lodged a series of objections to the plans.

The proposal has been revised in the light of responses to some of the concerns raised.

One of the changes is the replacement of a three-storey rotunda building with a two-story gatehouse.

Planning officers are due to tell members that the proposal has generated an unprecedented amount of mail and that strong feelings persist in the local community.

But they will add that much of the initial adverse reaction to the scheme was based on "misinformation".

A report to the council said: "For the record, the eco-village is not a new age commune, a gipsy caravan site, accommodation for asylum seekers, a proposed tourist attraction or a gated community.

"Neither is it a low-cost housing scheme or a plots-for- sale scheme."

Council officers will recommend the plans are approved.