A VICTORIAN villa will be restored to its former glory under plans that sparked anger at a council meeting.

The new owner of Copsewood, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, will demolish outhouses and greenhouses to make room for seven detached homes.

Stockton Borough Council's planning committee yesterday approved the plans, which will also see four trees uprooted - despite being protected by tree preservation orders.

Councillor Steve Walmsley, sitting on the committee, said: "Why have orders like this if we're not going to stick to them.

"They're not worth the paper they're written on if we pass this."

He said Stockton council had a bad record when it came to preserving its heritage.

"We have, time and time again, passed plans which demolish our heritage and do not take note of our history.

"We are losing these little gems all over the country. There is a benefit to the developer, but there is a loss to the community," he said.

Copsewood, off The Avenue, is 138 years old and its land includes an orchard.

Seven detached homes will be built, with garages and associated parking.

Planning officers received more than 40 letters of objections from residents concerned about safety along The Avenue because of increased traffic.

Retired computer expert Richard Leach told how he fears for the safety of children attending Teesside High School.

"The Avenue is so narrow we've had problems with emergency services getting through and there is no pathway.

"With the prospect of another seven families, the traffic will be unbearable. It already takes four turns of the traffic lights to release vehicles from The Avenue."

The Victorian villa, which also has a coach house in its grounds, previously had been owned by generations of one family.

They were members of the Brown family which had started a local manufacturing company, and generations of the same.

The new owner plans to live there with his family, and restore both the main building and the coach house.

Councillor Maureen Rigg said: "I am delighted that the current application preserves the main house, which forms an important part of the Victorian-built environment in this part of Eaglescliffe."