PARISH councillors say plans for new housing in a Darlington village will have a detrimental effect on residents.

Sadberge Parish Council has urged planners to throw out proposals for the housing development on land behind The Buck Inn.

It has written a lengthy letter of objection to planning officers at Darlington Borough Council saying it would compromise the future of the pub which ‘plays an important role in maintaining a sense of community.’

The application for three homes on land behind the Inn has also raised concerns from nearby residents with four letters of objection saying they were worried about flooding and it was of no benefit to the community.

In its letter the Parish Council stated: “The Buck Inn plays an important role in maintaining Sadberge’s sense of community which is a very important part of village life.

“The disruption during building work and the ongoing impact of residential use would compromise the pub’s future viability.”

If given the go-ahead, a terrace block of three-bedroomed homes will be erected with private gardens to the rear and parking to the front.

It was pointed out that parking spaces allocated at the front of the terrace would also include parking for the pub itself.

The Parish Council states that this would exasperate issues villagers were already experiencing with parking and gained attention from The Campaign For Real Ale which states the pub cannot afford to lose parking spaces.

Access to the dwellings on Middleton Road would be taken from a private lane which the Parish Council has deemed inappropriate.

The letter states: “The Parish Council believes that it is not appropriate to create a situation in which this passage would need to be shared by pedestrians and vehicles – including commercial vehicles delivering beer and other supplies to the pub.”

Concerns were also raised about emergency vehicles gaining access to the properties should it be needed.

However, the proposals have received no objection from the Highways engineer or environmental health team and Northumbrian Water and the Northern Gas Network have made no comment.

Planning officers have recommended that the request from C G Robinson Limited be approved subject to conditions when members of Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee meets next Wednesday.