CONCERNED residents have formed an action group to fight plans to move a supermarket petrol station near to a Darlington school.

They fear that the proposal to move the petrol station at Asda, in Whinbush Way, to the other side of the store's car park will cause pollution and congestion and is too near Whinfield Primary School.

If approved, the plans will see the petrol station moved to the other side of the car park, backing on to The Firs. One of the car park's exits, nearest to the traffic lights on Whinbush Way, will be closed.

Councillor Tom Nutt, who represents Haughton North ward, said residents and parents of children at the school were furious about the plans and had formed an action group.

Coun Nutt said: "This has been a bombshell to the community, not only for people living next to the proposed site, but also to the many parents who use this as a safe dropping-off and collection point for the children.

"Asda's community website states that they believe they have a responsibility not only to do the right thing for their customers and colleagues, but also for the community.

"I hope Asda will stand by this promise and agree to speak to us about these proposals before proceeding any further."

He said that residents and parents were concerned about possible health and safety issues caused by pollution and congestion, and added that the Asda store had a long history of community involvement and he hoped that this would continue.

A spokeswoman for Asda said the store would consult the community before Darlington Borough Council considered the application.

"Since the store became Asda, this is the first major investment we have made on the site and the petrol station there is coming to the end of its life so we need to replace it," she said.

"But at the same time, we would like to create some improvements to the car park to ease congestion."

The spokeswoman said that the aim of moving the fuel station was to prevent customers shopping at the store who simply needed petrol from driving through the car park.

She added that the planning application also included safety improvements to the car park's entrance and exit.