CAMPAIGNERS who led Darlington's biggest public opposition to a housing development, and lost their battle, believe their efforts have been vindicated.

In October last year, Darlington Borough Council approved plans to build 41 flats in the wooded grounds of Greystones, a Victorian villa in Carmel Road North, despite 495 letters of objection.

Now, about two months after work started on the scheme, the campaigners say their worst fears are being realised.

David Hayward, a local resident, said the buildings were being developed very close to the villa and a road was being laid about a metre away.

"It is destroying the character of the building," he said, adding that Greystones would not be nearly as attractive to prospective buyers with a housing estate around it.

Mr Hayward described the development as "the emasculation of this rather grand Victorian house by building these five large blocks of flats".

"Clearly they have destroyed the total ambience of this house. No one in their right mind is going to buy this house now, surrounded by a housing estate. It is destined to become flats at best," he said.

Councillor Frank Robson, the authority's cabinet member for planning, last night responded to the campaigners' comments, and other criticism of the council's planning decisions, which it has been claimed have been pushed through without consideration of objectors.

He said: "The planning process in Darlington is open and fair. It provides the opportunity for all to have their say.

"But the views of objectors are only one element the council must take into account when making decisions.

"The council has to stay within local plan guidelines and central Government planning policy guidelines."

He said the Planning Inspectorate ensured all the guidelines were taken into account when decisions on planning issues were made.

Coun Robson said: "The objectors should wait until the development is finished before they pass judgement."