A LAST-DITCH attempt to preserve a former fire station to stop a potential housing development has been rejected.

English Heritage turned down a bid to have the building, on Brook Terrace, Darlington, granted listed building status because it is considered "low quality".

Darlington Borough Council wanted to sell the horticultural store because it is no longer used.

But one resident halted the proposals after he applied for the building to be listed because of its historic importance.

The building was built in the Second World War to house fire engines. It was later converted into a council store, but has been unused for some time.

Ward councillor Stephen Harker said the council wanted to sell the land, with the indication that planning permission would be granted for housing.

Council conservation officers and officials from English Heritage were called in to see if the building was worth preserving.

A spokesman for English Heritage said: "Although the former National Fire Service station in Brook Terrace, Darlington, possesses a largely unaltered exterior, it is of a standard Second World War design and is constructed of typically low-quality materials.

"The building may be of some specialised historic interest locally, but it does not possess the architectural merit required for listing."

As a result of English Heritage's decision, the land is expected to be put up for sale by the end of this month, with the likelihood it would make way for new housing.

Councillor Harker said he and the other two ward councillors had been contacted by residents concerned about the building's future.

He said: "From a layman's point of view, the decision doesn't surprise me. If it was of rare materials or a unique example, it might be different."

He said that residents were also worried about youngsters making use of the disused shed.

Children play football against the doors, and parts of the building have been vandalised.

Coun Harker said: "If it wasn't getting used, it would slowly get destroyed.

"It is obviously in a residential area, so there are very few other things that would be appropriate.

"I imagine most of the residents would be happy with it."