CONTROVERSIAL plans to build blocks of flats on riverside land have been given the go-ahead.

Homeowners on Hammond Drive, in Skerne Park, Darlington, were told planning permission was passed to build 18 apartments – despite widespread objection.

A petition opposing the plans attracted around 300 signatures, but Darlington Borough Council decided in an open meeting that the proposal would go ahead.

Penny Brunskill, of Arkle Crescent, raised concerns in the meeting over the risk of flooding and anti-social behaviour behind the three apartment blocks.

She said: “It’s a land grab and it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the town and now they’re going to build 18 houses on it.

“I’m very upset because when I was at the meeting, it started off with a report saying it will be difficult to build.

“Some councillors there put forward good points that there could be a lot of anti-social behaviour that could go on behind the buildings.

“The Environment Agency have said there is a flood risk and they advised about the flooding three years ago. They did tell the council that it’s not a big flood risk, but that’s not to say it won’t flood.”

The Local Flood Authority expressed no objections to the plans – despite floodwater swamping the area in November 2012.

And the Campaign to Protect Rural England argued the build would “delete” open land and cause a major intrusion into Darlington’s green infrastructure by dramatically reducing riverside space.

Mrs Brunskill added: “We had 300 people sign a petition, but the petition didn’t count because there had been changes made to the original plans.

“I’m gutted that they’ve got away with doing it. It’s another piece of green field gone, and there isn’t enough of this kind of space in the town.”

A council document from the meeting describes the two-bedroom flats as “affordable” and necessary for the area.

Darlington Borough Council’s principal planning officer, Dave Coates, told residents that work could start within the next four months.

However, it was decided that no construction work would begin before further plans are agreed by the Local Planning Authority

The document stated: “Surface water discharges from this site shall flow regulated to ensure that flooding problems elsewhere in the catchment are not exacerbated.

“Final details of an appropriate surface water drainage solution shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority before development commences and the development shall be completed in accordance with the approved scheme.”