PLANS to build a women's refuge on the outskirts of Durham have been approved despite residents' objections.

The Three Rivers Housing Group wants to build eight self-contained and supported flats for women and children fleeing domestic violence on a site in the east of the city.

The new refuge, in a three-storey building, will replace a refuge in another part of the city.

The planning application was approved by Durham City Council's development control committee despite opposition from people living near the site.

People said they were worried about the possibility of aggrieved partners turning up to look for their spouses and causing trouble.

Some people also objected to the size of the building and its impact on neighbouring properties and parking in the area.

Residents' spokesman Jamie Glister, who handed in a 44-name petition, said the building would be massive and would tower over neighbouring gardens.

He also said residents had worries about security and the possibility of more incidents occurring at the new refuge as it would be bigger than the existing shelter.

He told councillors some residents had not been notified of the planning application and urged that a decision be deferred for further consultation.

Amanda Senior, business development manager for Three Rivers, said two incidents in recent times at the existing refuge had involved partners turning up.

"The main reason they go to the refuge is to persuade their partner to come back. They don't kick off."

She said that the police were called as a matter of course in such instances but in the recent incidents the men did not cause any trouble and agreed to leave.

She said the neighbours of the existing refuge had not made any complaints.

Head of environmental protection David Thornborrow said the council had complied with consultation procedures.

He said that the social benefits of the proposal far outweigh the perceived harm.

Councillor Neil Shaw, who could not attend the meeting, sent a statement saying there was strong feeling against the application but felt it would be difficult to reject it.

Former council leader Sue Pitts said there had been some misinformed comments in the Press about the plan.

She said that the existing refuge, which had been running for more than 20 years, had not caused any problems.