NEW apartments are likely to be built close to Darlington town centre, despite concerns about the development being voiced last night.

Darlington Borough Council's planning committee approved the application by Suma Homes to build 24 apartments on the Hi-Q Tyre Services depot site in Coniscliffe Road.

The area includes several listed buildings, which was a point raised by objectors who felt the new homes would be out of keeping.

Three housing blocks will be built, each containing different sized apartments.

Darlington Civic Trust initially opposed the plans, but withdrew its objection when amended proposals were submitted.

But Thomas Watson Auctioneers, which has premises in nearby Northumberland Street, and the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) maintained that the development should not be permitted.

In scathing comments to planning officials, the Council for the Protection of Rural England said the scheme was a monstrosity and a "visual carbuncle destroying the amenity of the area".

A letter from the auction house said: "The town centre lacks certain commercial attributes and, for this reason, it is unwise to give up a key site to solely residential use."

However, the proposals were approved by planning committee members yesterday, despite some being critical.

Conservative Councillor Charles Johnson said: "I would have liked to see something a bit more sympathetic to the area. It looks a bit like a workhouse."

Fellow Tory Councillor Sheila Brown said: "We are having more and more apartment blocks being built in the town centre and people won't be shopping in Darlington soon."

But council leader Councillor John Williams backed the scheme and criticised the CPRE.

"We are talking about a clapped-out old tyre depot in the town centre being removed and a quality residential development in its place," he said.

"The CPRE does itself no favours with comments on application for something in the middle of a town centre. It does itself no credit as an organisation."

A majority of councillors supported the proposals.