PLANS to redevelop a landmark building into ten luxury homes have been met with strong opposition from neighbours.

The new owners of the historic St Clare’s Abbey are wanting to transform the Grade II listed building into ten homes as well as create a football pitch and build a paddock and stable block.

A planning application for the project, which has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council, has already received several letters of objection.

Planning consent is being sought for the conversion of the nunnery and chapel into ten dwellings and the retention of the existing gatehouse dwelling. They applicant is also requesting permission to demolish the ground floor lean to and make internal alterations to remove walls, block up doors and insert partition walls.

However, local residents are already raising serious concerns about the scheme on the site just off Carmel Road North, in the west end of Darlington.

Brian and Jacqueline Durham, who live near the former Abbey, have written to the council’s planning department urging them take road safety into consideration as the road is very busy and provides access to four schools and a doctors surgery.

Concern has also been raised about the prospect of the applicant’s family having access to a football pitch as well as a paddock and stables for their won use.

The ten properties that are requested by the applicants, Mr And Mrs Mitchell, could see the creation of houses with almost 50 bedrooms and associated parking for at least 35 vehicles.

Information about the plan is on darlington.gov.uk