A VETERAN Darlington councillor has warned colleagues that they could face another costly payout over plans to replace Mowden Park Rugby Club's ground with housing.

Bill Stenson, ward councillor for Mowden, spoke out as Darlington Borough Council referred Yuill Homes' plans to the Secretary of State at the Government Office of the North-East (Gone).

The planning officers' report said they were minded to grant the application, in which 67 houses would be placed on the Yiewsley Drive site, some of which would be three storeys high.

If granted, the houses would be built in an area predominantly made up of bungalows, said Coun Stenson, who has served on the council for 34 years.

He said that, earlier this year, the local government Ombudsman ruled that the council was guilty of "maladministration causing injustice" against Brinkburn Drive residents.

This followed the development of Baydale Croft, where new houses towered over existing homes.

Coun Stenson warned: "If this development goes ahead, we could have the same problems as the council have in Brinkburn Drive, where they are being taken to task.

"We do not want to see another case of compensation because of the neglect of planning."

The council was ordered to pay residents of Brinkburn Drive affected by the Baydale Croft development, the depreciation on their homes.

The planning committee's decision to refer the plans came after 140 letters of objection, including concerns from the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

Coun Stenson's voice was joined by those of fellow ward councillor Ron Lewis and resident Alwyn Weston, speaking on behalf of the Mowden Park Pressure Group, which was set up to oppose the plans.

The objectors said there was no need for more housing and the land should be kept as open space for the public.

Residents who attended yesterday's meeting made their displeasure known with comments to the committee as they left, following the decision.

Councillor Philip Stamford-Bewlay urged residents to send letters of objections to Gone