PLANNERS are to overrule objections from neighbours and a parish council over a house roof extension in a village, near Darlington.

The extension to a rear roof of a house in Woodlands Way, Hurworth Place, is intended to provide two first-floor bedrooms.

It also involves repositioning an external doorway from the side of the property to the front, and internal works for the benefit of the applicant's disabled wife.

Three letters have been received by Darlington Borough Council's planning department, objecting to the plans, saying it would be visually intrusive and cause a loss of privacy.

Hurworth Parish Council has also objected to the plan on the grounds of "visual intrusion", with councillors recommending a site visit.

Planners are however recommending the extension be given the go-ahead.

A report by planning officer David McGaughey says the proposed extension is situated to the rear of the property and cannot be seen from the road.

He says: "Its impact on the visual amenities of the street scene would therefore not be considered sufficiently harmful to justify a refusal of planning permission."

Mr McGaughey adds that houses to the back of the development are also an adequate distance away and it would be inappropriate to turn down the extension on privacy grounds.

"There would be no direct overlooking of the properties either side and therefore no material harm is likely to be caused to the amenities of these residents."