PLANS for a private Gypsy site that attracted hundreds of objections from village residents have been rejected by planning officials.

Residents of Heighington, near Darlington, had vowed to fight an application to convert two fields at Walworth Road to accommodate Gypsies and travelers, claiming that the site would damage the village.

Councillor Gerald Lee, who represents the village, said the news had been welcomed by residents, in particular members of the Heighington and District Support Group, which had raised more than £7,000 to fight the plans.

The plans had been expected to be debated by members of Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee in May, but were instead dealt with by council planning officers acting under delegated powers.

Officers refused the application on the grounds that the site is located outside the built up confines of Heighington, lacked sustainable access to village facilities and that the land is unspoilt pasture land previously designated as an area of high landscape value.

The report outlining the reasons for refusal also cited anecdotal evidence from residents about ponds near the site that contain Great Crested Newts, which are a protected species.

More than 300 objections to the plans were lodged with the council after the application was submitted in early February, with many residents saying the proposals would significantly impact on the landscape, cause congestion and put pressure on already stretched amenities in their village.

The application concerned two fields and asked for permission to site two mobile homes, two touring caravans, two amenity buildings, a septic tank and an access road.

Coun Lee said: “There was tremendous opposition to the plans in the village and I’ve got to be delighted for the residents who took the time to raise their objections.

“The campaign was done fairly and the objections were kept to planning issues.

“I agree with the reasons given for turning down the application – the site is on a busy road, with no footpath to the village and no access to the school.”

The report produced by planning officers said: “It is considered that the introduction of mobile homes and other paraphernalia associated with the proposed development will unacceptably harm the character of this open countryside locality.

“Bearing in mind the land ownership situation in this locality it would, if approved, be likely to set a precedent for similar applications nearby that would be difficult to resist.”