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Protesters building on Sunday Sun story

Dec 24 2006 By The Sunday Sun

Protesters hope a Sunday Sun story will help their battle to stop a housing development.

Members of the Newfield-Pelton Action Group had lodged an objection with Chester-le-Street Council, in County Durham, against the proposed 252-house scheme, saying it is not inkeeping with the rural area.

And after our article last week, which revealed the population in the area was expected to fall over the next 25 years, they now say there is no need for the development.

Group spokesman Iain Fergusson (all ok)said: "The Sunday Sun's article is important as it shows the population is set to fall by 400 people by 2029. If it is dropping, there is no legitimate need for more houses around here."

Of the 1400 questionnaires campaigners sent to homes in the area to find out opinion of the plans, 200 were returned and the group claim 90 per cent were against it.

The council's planning committee is expected to meet in February and reach a decision.

Persimmon Homes is behind the development and a spokesman said: "Pelton has been allocated by local authorities as an area in need of revitalisation and the proposed housing development from Persimmon Homes will be a positive move forward in bringing new residents to the area."

WRITE STUFF:members of the Newfield-Pelton Action Group hope our story, inset, can help their cause