THE possiblity of another pub being created in Darlington's Skinnergate, dubbed "bar alley", is expected to be blocked by council planning officials.

Previous approval to convert the Dani Martini clothes shop, in Skinnergate, into a pub or restaurant, has expired.

Darlington Borough Council is objecting to a bid by local businessman Martin Craster to renew the permission for three years.

The authority has been joined by people living in the Arcadia Court sheltered housing complex, nearby, who fear an increase in noise and rowdy behaviour if another pub is opened in the street.

Violet Watson, a resident, said: "We have been here five and a half years and there was no problem at the start. Now we get no sleep at all at night."

Police in Darlington have also previously voiced their fears about the number of pubs in Skinnergate, which forms part of a run through the town for late-night revellers.

They are expected to object to a bid by the Filibuster and Firkin pub, which is also on Skinnergate, to extend drinking hours between Wednesday and Saturday to 2am.

Permission for the new use for the clothes shop was granted after an appeal heard by the planning inspectorate two years ago. However, since then, new government planning guidance has been issued which recognises the importance of encouraging retail outlets in town centres.

In a report to Darlington council's planning applications committee, planning officer David Coates says: "Too great a preponderance of non-shop uses will reduce the retail attractiveness of a street's frontage to a point where fewer shoppers will visit.

"Fewer shoppers, in turn, will result in yet fewer shops, and eventually a terminal decline in the shopping function of an area."

Mr Coates's report says that Skinnergate has seen a rapid increase in non-shop uses in recent years, with retail premises being replaced generally by pubs and hot food takeaway shops.

Frances Rowley, of consultants Chesterton, said there were a number of pub operators expressing interest in the site, although the current aim was to convert it into a restaurant.

Ms Rowley said the organisation took the view that there was no justification for the council now reaching a different conclusion in relation to the renewal of the application