RESIDENTS in a North-East village have pledged to fight controversial plans by the local council to build houses on green fields.

Durham City Council has applied for outline planning permission with a view to selling just under two acres of land for housing at Esh Winning, near Durham.

The land, which backs on to the local school, is used by scores of village youngsters for play and recreation, say residents.

People living in nearby College View have formed an action committee to fight the plans and have launched a protest petition.

Youngsters are also writing letters to Durham City Council to object about the loss of the land.

Pamela Hennigan, who has lived in College View for 27 years and has three grandchildren who use the land to play, said: "We don't want any more developments in Esh Winning as we have enough houses already.

"We have lived here most of our lives and always had access to the land and our children have always played on there."

Durham City Council has already begun a consultation process with residents over the plans.

A recent survey of those who would be affected found that 68 per cent objected to any further development.

Fears have also been expressed that housing will add to congestion on the streets around Esh Winning Primary School

Durham City Council says the land at Esh Winning has been identified as one of a number of sites for housing in partnership with North East based developer Haslam Homes.

The council, meanwhile, is already facing protests from villagers at Ushaw Moor, near Durham City, over similar plans.

Two hundred homes are due to be built in the village on recreation land as part of a regeneration scheme