COMMUNITY leaders have welcomed the prospect of a village's first new homes for more than a quarter of a century.

It is hoped that the proposed new housing estate in Trimdon will breath new life into its ageing community and struggling local businesses.

George Wimpey North-East plans to build 71 houses on unused land at Cinnamon Drive, between Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill.

Many residents believe the scheme, which has won planning consent from Easington District Council, will improve the look of the area and help reduce vandalism.

But it has caused some concern among those living near the site, worried about the impact it would have on roads, the sewage system and local schools.

The layout of the three, four and five-bedroomed detached two-storey houses and three-storey terrace houses was redesigned by the company five times before planning and highways chiefs were happy with the plans.

At a meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee, at which the authority was consulted about the plans, ward member Lucy Hovvels welcomed the proposal.

Councillor Hovvels said she believed that the estate would be a sustainable community, that could help revive the area.

She said: "We desperately need new-build in the Trimdon area. It is more than 25 years since we have had any significant housing built.

"Some young people are now moving out of the community, although they desperately want to stay - there just aren't the houses available to keep them here at the moment.

"We have shops closing, three are closing at the present moment, and the local school is underused.

"I would welcome any development taking place in this area.

"We should be doing all we can to make sure that homes are built in these communities before they decline.

"As this site is right on the border between Easington District and Sedgefield Borough, we can only give our support to the scheme in principle."

The developer must agree to a financial contribution towards open space provision, carry out a flood risk assessment and agree design details with planning chiefs before work can start on site.