A HOUSING developer has decided a village will not lose out on £10,000 for its children's playground after all.

Thoroughbred Homes, of Osmotherley, had asked for the sum to be deducted from its agreed contribution of £36,000 towards the play area and improved bus services in Middleton St George.

The deal was struck after Darlington planning applications committee approved 21 homes to be built by the developer on land off Killinghall Row in the village.

However, the Environment Agency subsequently insisted that surface water from the site should be stored before being discharged into the local system.

This meant Thoroughbred Homes would have to incur unforeseen costs which would have had an effect on the amount the council requested.

Planning officials said the request to reduce the donation could be agreed because neither the applicant nor the planning authority had prior knowledge of the water storage expense.

But before the matter could be discussed by the planning committee at its meeting on Wednesday, Thoroughbred Homes agreed to pay the full amount.

Nigel Tutty, director of Thoroughbred Homes, told the D&S Times yesterday: "We didn't want to think for one minute that the local community was going to lose out on the play area and we are just going to have to try to absorb the costs incurred."

Coun Doris Jones, who represents Middleton St George, said she was delighted with Thoroughbred's decision.

She said: "I am really pleased that Thoroughbred Homes has re-thought this and realised the effect it would have on the village - credit to them."