A COUNCIL leader has hit back after an MP criticised his planners for approving a multi-million pound riverside development.

Durham's Labour MP Roberta Blackman-Woods wants the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to call in Liberal Democrat-controlled Durham City Council's decision to grant planning permission for apartments on the site of the city's former ice rink, opposite the former Walkergate car park, which is being redeveloped.

She believes the site is "inappropriate'' and that city residents said during the 20/20 Vision consultations that they wanted more leisure facilities in the city, not more expensive housing.

The Kascada Bowl bowling alley and Meridian Health Club, both based in the old rink, have closed ahead of work starting on site.

But council leader Fraser Reynolds said: "Most people would like to see a leisure facility on the old ice rink site, but the current owners did not want to continue trading with the leisure operation and they pursued alternative business options.

"It would, indeed, be nice to have a new ice rink, a new cinema or a museum, but this was not a viable option and reflects the harsh reality of the commercial world we live in today."

He said the planning application took almost a year to negotiate and was democratically approved by the council, and that the design was altered in response to concerns raised by English Heritage and other consultees.

The architects' own consultation showed people backed their scheme for housing, which was helping regenerate a run-down area, he added.