EIGHTEEN homes are to be built in Witton-le-Wear next yea.

Wear Valley District Council development control committee approved plans for the terraced and detached houses in The Paddock area of the village.

Developers Dere Street Limited will build the homes, plus garages and an access road, on the 0.84 hectare area of grassed land. In 2002, the proposals were twice rejected, but later an application for 14 houses was approved.

There will be seven house types, mostly with two storeys, and a new road linking to nearby Castle View.

Councillors gave the all-clear despite concerns about the impact of the new homes.

The parish council warned that applications for extensions over single garages would be refused.