DARLINGTON Borough Council has denied that a new housing development will affect a nearby workingmen's club.

Alexander Developments has submitted a planning application to build nine dwellings at Haughton Green, close to Haughton Workingmen's club.

Club members were concerned the proposals could see the club closing.

A member, who did not wish to be named, said: "A notice has gone up in the club about the planning application and there are all sorts of rumours going round. It would be a great shame if the club closed, it has been here for a lot of years."

A council spokeswoman confirmed that an application was submitted on February 18 for nine homes and that the access road to the properties and the club would be shared.

She said: "The site is to the east of the workingmen's club and the club and the site will share the same access.

"It is not going to affect them other than sharing access and they may have an increase in traffic to the dwellings."

Consultation on the development ends on April 4.

No one from Alexander Developments was available for comment.