A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 27 homes in a Teesdale village has been recommended for refusal.

More than 500 residents of Middleton-in-Teesdale signed a petition against the plan by Newton Aycliffe-based Harlequin developments to build 27 homes near Bridge Street.

Planning officers at Teesdale District Council have recommended the application, which includes a car and coach park, is refused.

As well as the 527-name petition, the council also received 27 letters of objection outlining concerns such as the density of housing, the problems of car parking and access and the detrimental effect the houses would have on the rural landscape.

Gillian Gallagher, who organised the petition, said it was excellent news the proposal had been recommended for refusal.

She said: "A lot of people weren't totally against it in principle, but this is the first thing you would see if you're coming into Middleton from Mickleton.

"Even a lot of shops didn't want this, although we feel that there's a car parking problem in Middleton, this would be a drop in the ocean to what is needed."

The plan has received four letters of support and the parish council has sought amendments on the design.

The site has been allocated for housing in the Teesdale Local Plan and planning officer Andrew Bishop said the council has, in principle, accepted the development of the site.

However, Mr Bishop said the application had not resolved many significant issues.

He said: "The housing scheme must be seen to complement the form and character of the Bridge Street area of Middleton. "Although this has been attempted with the use of terraces and housing along Bridge Street, the effect is of an estate as an adjunct to the village, rather than a seamless progression of the existing form of the village."

Other concerns include possible problems with subsidence of adjoining houses, lack of sewerage capacity for the development and no agreement for the maintenance and running of the car and coach park.

A similar application by Harlequin for 28 homes was withdrawn earlier this year. No-one at the firm was available for comment.

The planning committee will discuss the application on Wednesday, in the council chamber at Teesdale House, Barnard Castle.