ABOUT 20 people are expected to attend a meeting tomorrow to object to millionaire businessman Duncan Bannatyne's proposals for 18 flats in Darlington.

His company, Bannatyne Fitness, has applied to Darlington Borough Council for permission to redevelop land in Cleveland Terrace, formerly used by the company as an administration centre.

This will involve replacing an office block and garages with two three-storey blocks of two and three-bedroom flats.

Alison Gall is among those objecting to the proposals.

She is urging councillors to refuse the application, despite planning officers' recommendations that the scheme should be approved.

"All around the area there are two-storey residential properties which would be overlooked by this development," she said.

"It will be overbearing, because in some cases it would be less than 10m from neighbouring properties, so people living all round this will lose their privacy. It's the over-development of land and it is ruining our town."

Mrs Gall will be among up to 20 residents expected to attend the planning committee meeting.