PROPOSED parking restrictions outside a Darlington nursery have been scaled back following objections from residents concerned that spaces in the area are already limited.

Flora House Nursery, on Coniscliffe Road, was granted planning permission for an extension on the condition that waiting restrictions were introduced at the junction between Coniscliffe Road and Flora Avenue.

The proposal included two 15 metre lengths of double yellow lines on the north side of Coniscliffe Road - on either side of its junction with Flora Avenue - and two 15 metre lengths of double yellow lines on either side of Flora Avenue at its junction with Coniscliffe Road.

However, following a public consultation, the council agreed to halve the length of restrictions on Flora Avenue in order to “maximise parking for the residents”.

Residents claim parking in the area is already at a premium owing to cars associated with the nursery and objected to the length of the restrictions on the grounds that their opportunity to park on-street would be further limited.

In a recommendation to the council, planning officers said: “In the interests of road safety waiting restrictions are required to improve visibility for traffic entering Coniscliffe Road and to keep free flow of traffic into the junction. However, considering the objections received road safety would not be compromised by having reduced lengths of restriction in Flora Avenue.”

As part of the consultation process residents also expressed concerns regarding obstruction of driveways and will be offered a white Keep Clear line across their drives to prevent obstructive parking.