OBJECTORS to a housing scheme at School Aycliffe left Darlington town hall with a smile on their faces on Wednesday.

Campaigners won vital concessions in their battle over road safety concerns - a 30mph speed limit, pedestrian crossing and talks on a major roundabout scheme.

Outline planning permission granted in March for 233 homes on the former site of Aycliffe hospital had stirred up a hornets' nest among residents and councillors.

Fears that the development's only access and exit was on to the well-used School Aycliffe Lane led to calls for highways improvements.

Planning councillors heard impassioned pleas from Sedgefield borough councillor George Gray, ward councillor for School Aycliffe, and Mr Neil Hannah of Aycliffe Hall, whose property lies across the road from the proposed development.

Both echoed concerns raised by 39 letters of objection and a 142-name petition as well as strong protests made by Sedgefield Borough Council, Heighington Parish Council and Great Aycliffe Town Council.

All felt the speed limit on School Aycliffe Lane should be reduced from 40mph to 30mph and that a roundabout and controlled pedestrian crossing be installed at the site entrance.

Only Durham police disagreed with a speed limit reduction.

Mr Hannah said: "There is not a single person who wants to stop this application. We just want it to be safe.

"About 40pc of cars exceed the speed limit on this road and some go faster than 70 mph. Council officers say they are not required to do anything more than they have. We urge you to take the safety issues further. Lives are at stake here.

"We seek a roundabout, a pedestrian crossing and a 30 mph speed limit."

Coun Gray added : "People are travelling at 50, 60 and 70 mph along this road. We need one big roundabout. Nothing else will do."

A roundabout at the junction of Horndale Avenue and School Aycliffe Lane had also been proposed by residents.

After clarification that the council could impose a 30mph speed restriction, Darlington council leader Coun John Williams then sought agreement from the McLean Homes' representative that the firm would foot the bill for this and the pedestrian crossing.

However, as a roundabout could cost up to £500,000, it was suggested that further discussions were necessary.

He said: "I can understand residents' concerns and McLean's concerns over the cost of the roundabout.

"Perhaps Sedgefield Borough Council and/or Durham County Council could contribute at a later date."