COUNCILLORS yesterday rejected the views of residents to approve a housing development in a rapidly expanding village.
People living in Middleton St George, near Darlington, have complained about how extra housing is affecting the character of the village. Villagers and the parish council say roads and the local primary school will not be able to cope with further population increases.
But Darlington Borough Council's planning applications committee gave the go-ahead for 34 detached houses and 32 flats to be built on land north of Yarm Road, in Middleton St George.
As part of the planning conditions, the developer, Mandale Properties, will have to make a financial contribution towards an extension to Middleton St George Primary School.
This will be needed because the school is already over-subscribed and growth is expected to continue until 2011.
Mandale Properties will also have to make a contribution to the cost of improving public transport links to the site.
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