DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott is being urged to give the go-ahead to a housing development in a village - despite the concerns of local residents.

People living in Middleton St George, near Darlington, believe their village is already overdeveloped.

But a further 80 homes could be built if Mr Prescott grants planning permission for a development on the site of the former Brookside works of Durham Tube, which closed more than a year ago.

Because the site is not designated for housing in the Darlington Local Plan, the council has to refer the application to Mr Prescott's Environment department.

But Darlington Borough Council is in favour of the scheme and will make representations to Mr Prescott.

If planning permission is granted, C M Yuill will build 80 homes, consisting of detached three, four and five-bedroom houses.

Darlington council's planning applications committee will be told tomorrow that a letter of objection has been received, stating that too many houses are being built in the village.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England also admit to being deeply concerned about the plans. It said the scheme is outside the approved boundary for housing development, unimaginative, and would further erode the gap between Darlington and Middleton St George.

An objection has also been submitted by Low Dinsdale Parish Council, which is concerned that another housing estate in Middleton St George will aggravate flooding problems in nearby Neasham.