CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a nursery in the west end of Darlington and replace it with nearly 30 new houses will be discussed by council planners.

Developers Esh Group have submitted an application to Darlington Borough Council to demolish the existing buildings at Woodburn Nursery, in Salutation Road, to make way for 27 new houses.

The site lies next to West Cemetery – a registered park and garden - and is currently used as an operational nursery and base for the cemetery grounds maintenance, grave diggers and arboreal teams at the council.

It contains a number of greenhouses, polytunnels and offices, as well as a former stable, which will be demolished should the plans be approved.

The application, which has attracted eight letters of objection, will be discussed at a meeting of the planning applications committee tomorrow (Wednesday, September 2).

Nearby residents have raised concerns with the effect the development will have on already congested roads and said the high volume of housing proposed is unsuitable for the area.

One objector said: “The use of this land to build 27 new houses will have a major impact on an already extremely congested road at rush hour.

“If you anticipate that every house has two cars then this will be extra plus 54 cars using the road every day.

“Normal rush hour traffic leads to tail backs on Coniscliffe Road and Salutation Road. Therefore cars coming out of Woodburn Nursery would contribute more congestion along this main road into and out of Darlington.

“Even with current traffic volumes it is dangerous pulling out of my drive onto the road, this risk will only increase with the increased traffic flow and vehicle manoeuvres that will take place in order to gain entry into the development.”

A detailed objection has also been submitted by the residents of Woodburn Cottage – a Grade II listed property designed by architect George Gordon Hoskins which sits adjacent to the site’s proposed access point on Coniscliffe Road.

They believe the design and layout of the houses do not live up to modern design standards of reflect the unique qualities of the site and local character.

They added: “The applicant has not assessed adequately the significance of the heritage assets affected including the contribution made by their setting.

“The layout as submitted does not minimise conflict between the heritage assets conservation and the proposal.

“This is an important location where the development should have taken the opportunity to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of the place.”

The planning applications committee meets tomorrow at 1.30pm at the town hall. Members of the public are welcome.