RESIDENTS have lost their fight to stop seven properties being built in their village.

People living in Edmundbyers, near Consett, had accepted that there would be a development at The Closes, next to the village green, but said that plans to build seven homes would overcrowd an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Ron Tyreman, chairman of the Edmudbyers Parish Meeting, told councillors at Wear Valley District Council's development control committee, on Thursday, that residents had concerns about parking.

He said that large family homes could easily have more than two cars per house and this would exacerbate the parking problem.

He said: "The villagers are not against development in this field. We know that the quality of the houses will be good.''

A spokesman for Whitehall Developments, which is building the houses, said that the company specialised in quality housing in rural areas.

He said: "This company has given a lot of care and thought to the application.

"I feel the proposals significantly enhance a conservation area and the character of the rural setting.''

Although councillors agreed with some of the residents' concerns, they approved plans for the development, saying that there were no valid planning reasons to refuse permission.