COUNCILLORS have paved the way for the controversial development of up to 100 new homes on farmland near a popular historic market town.
Banks Property, part of the Banks Group whose interests include several mines across the North-East, had sought permission to build on the site north of Darlington Road on the outskirts of Barnard Castle.
The proposals appeared to split public opinion, with 252 letters of objection submitted to Durham County Council, along with 142 backing the scheme, although doubts were cast on these by objectors.
Concerns were also raised about the impact of the project on a recognised ‘Area of High Landscape Value’, the impact on traffic and whether the housing was needed in the area.