RESIDENTS will argue today that stringent safety measures should be introduced on a village road before a major housing development goes ahead.

Darlington Borough Council is meeting this afternoon to discuss a planning application for 233 houses to be built on the former Aycliffe Hospital site, in School Aycliffe.

Residents do not object to the development, but fear for the safety of pedestrians, because access to the site will be on to the already busy School Aycliffe Lane.

A petition has been signed by 142 people and 36 letters of objection have been sent to the council by residents.

Road safety concerns have also been raised by Sedgefield Borough Council, Heighington Parish Council and Great Aycliffe Town Council.

Residents have made a number of suggestions, including bringing in a 30mph speed limit, installing a pedestrian crossing and placing a roundabout at the entrance to the site.

Neil Hannah, who intends to speak at the meeting on behalf of the residents, said: "We're asking the council to take the road safety issues seriously and do something about it."

But Darlington Borough Council planning officers have rejected all of the suggestions and will recommend the application be granted as it stands.