PLANS to turn an empty church hall into 11 bedsits for the single homeless have met fierce opposition.

The application for a change of use for St George's Hall in Elmfield Street, Darlington, is recommended for approval by the borough council's planners when councillors meet on Wednesday.

But the proposal by the Home Group Housing Association has attracted 26 letters of objection along with two petitions containing a total of 370 signatures.

If permission is granted, it will see the creation of units providing a bedroom and living area, kitchenette and shower room.

A communal lounge and kitchen and dining area will be provided on the ground floor, with a laundry in the basement. No parking or amenity area is planned.

The applicants state the bedsits would be occupied by people who are poorly housed or homeless and need support to enable them to find more permanent housing as well as employment training.

The residents would be from the Darlington area. The site lies within the Northgate conservation area.

However, opponents feel it "will add more grief to an already unsettled environment". There is also anger and resentment among some residents regarding the loss of the hall, which they had hoped to see redeveloped for the use of the community.

Objectors say no notices of the intention to close the hall were posted or sale signs displayed, and they fear their properties will be devalued if the scheme is approved.