PEOPLE power has failed to stop controversial plans to send dozens of heavy lorries through a village.

Nearly every resident of Knitsley, a hamlet near Consett, has protested at plans by Elddis Caravans for a caravan storage compound that will see about 70 HGVs go past their homes every week.

Despite pleas from residents' spokesman Simon Saunders at last week's planning committee meeting of Derwentside District Council, members voted in favour of the plans.

Villagers say that the council ignored their calls to amend the plans by rerouting the lorries through an existing road, and avoiding the village.

The company will adapt an existing road off Butsfield Lane for access to a new staff car park, but direct HGVs through the village along Hownsgill Drive.

Elddis bosses said rerouting the heavy traffic would pose "logistical" problems and any delay in production at the site - due to start in January - could pose a threat to jobs at the 350-workforce plant.

Mr Saunders said: "The only obstacles to solving this situation seem to be desire and will.

"We never wanted the proposals to be refused in the first place and we certainly never intended to postpone production or endanger jobs. We simply wanted them to adapt their plans so they took their HGVs on another route.

"With this decision the council has let us down badly. We may have a beautiful view of the countryside here, but our quality of life will be shattered by this."

Michael Hold, Elddis marketing director, said the residents' fears were "misguided".

He said: "I think the residents are fearing something that will not happen in terms of the number of vehicles going past their homes. We want to make a great contribution to the community.