HOPES of providing villagers with a new medical centre were dashed yesterday when councillors blocked the scheme.

Teesdale District Council's development control committee voted 5-4 against plans to build the surgery alongside the A67 in Gainford.

The proposal involved demolishing the village garage and building the surgery on the site.

But councillors said the loss of the garage would be a serious blow to residents, because it was one of only a handful of petrol stations in the Teesdale area.

Councillor Jo Fergus, who lives in Gainford, said: "I am very unhappy about this proposal.

"The petrol station and garage has been in Gainford for some 45 years and there ought to be other sites for the health centre."

Councillor Ken Coates said: "The main concern is that the site is by a main road, and that would mean old people and children would have to cross the road to get to the centre. There must be somewhere else they can build it."

But other committee members argued that the owner of the petrol station, who was unavailable for comment last night, had already indicated that he was preparing to close because the business was no longer viable.

Councillor John Hinchcliffe said: "The garage is going to go anyway. It is not viable, so let's have a new health centre there instead."

The applicants, Dr Michael Neville and Dr Ian Waldin, who run the present Gainford surgery, in High Green, said last night that they were shocked at the news, and were considering their options.

Dr Waldin said: "The council's decision is a complete surprise to me.

"The council has been aware of what we were intending to do for six to nine months now, and this is the first time they have come back with a negative response."

Later in the meeting, councillors granted permission for Bryant Homes to build 30 homes off Eden Lane, in Gainford.

Committee members gave it their backing, providing the Environment Agency had no objections relating to flooding concerns.