A CAMPAIGN has been mounted against plans for a multi-storey car park to be built as part of Darlington's new £45m shopping centre.

About 200 people have complained to Darlington Borough Council that the scheme, which is included in the redevelopment of the Queen Street Arcade, would intrude into a heavily populated residential area.

The 25-unit, two-level centre could be completed within two years of planning consent being granted and will have parking on the roof for 230 cars.

It will be connected by a bridge to a 700-space multi-storey car park over the ring road.

But the Friends of North Lodge Park, many of whom live near the proposed car park, have handed a petition and letter to the council outlining their fears.

They are concerned about the size of the project, the impact on greenery and wildlife, and the potential increase in traffic and pollution.

Chairwoman of the group, Yvonne Richardson, has written to council planning officials to raise the concerns.

She wrote: "Noise and exhaust pollution will be much greater with the increase in stop-start traffic in North Road, from Harrowgate Hill to Northgate roundabout. This huge increase in exhaust and noise pollution will affect, over a wide area, the health of park users - especially the children using the play area, the trees and wildlife.

"It is surely unreasonable to impose this on the population immediately north of the proposed car park."

The group said a local green space would be lost and exhaust pollution dramatically increased by the expanded capacity of the car park.

The letter concluded: "If a car park must be built on this residential side of the ring road, then Archer Street car park would seem to be more suitable in terms of impact as it is further away from housing and green space."

A council spokeswoman said: "We have received a petition in the planning department and our officers will be investigating the issues raised and getting back to the people involved."