PLANS for almost 50 new houses near a north County Durham town are expected to get the go-ahead, despite fears from residents about heavy construction traffic.

Derwentside District Council has received a planning application for 46 houses at the site in Wood Street, Shotley Bridge, near Consett.

Some people living nearby fear that an increase in heavy traffic to the proposed building site will lead to chaos on the narrow roads and the plans would see the destruction of several 18th Century allotments.

Also, part of the development will be built on the site of 17th Century cottages used to house swordmakers, and a former mill complex.

But after a Durham County Council archaeological investigation revealed no remains of the former swordmaking industry, the development looks set to proceed.

A report to the council's development control committee said: "Over many years the council has tried to seek the long-term redevelopment and regeneration of this area of Wood Street, and there have been lengthy negotiations with the applicant to try to achieve this aim.

"Overall, the proposal is considered acceptable in achieving the rejuvenation of this area of Shotley Bridge while creating an attractive residential development beneficial to the conservation area."

Despite fears about the increase in heavy traffic in Wood Street and nearby Oley Meadows, residents are broadly behind the plans.

Pat Haynes, of Oley Meadows, said: "It will be an improvement to the village and the whole area, although we are going to have a little bit of inconvenience in the meantime."

Another Oley Meadows resident, Jennifer Hall, said: "Everybody thinks these plans should go ahead, although some are worried about the traffic.

"It will be good for the village and will tidy the site up."

Meanwhile, owners of pigeon lofts on part of the site, who applied to the Land Registry to claim the right to possession of the land, have heard they have failed.

Raymond Dodds, one of the loft owners, said the registry turned down their application for adverse possession because the land was not fenced, rendering it common land.

He added: "The plans will be great for the village I'm sure, but they're quite the opposite for us."

The loft owners are still speaking to their lawyers about lodging an appeal against the Land Registry's decision.