DARLINGTON Borough Council has admitted that a letter informing residents of a controversial planning application was too vague.

The letter said that Sainsbury's supermarket, in Victoria Road, Darlington, wanted to change its delivery times - but it did not detail the proposed changes.

Sainsbury's wants to alter planning permission to allow up to three deliveries a night, between 10pm and 7am.

As reported in The Northern Echo on Thursday, residents complained the letter was too vague, and accused the council of being "sneaky".

Yesterday, residents received another letter, from Adrian Miller, the council's principal planning officer.

It read: "In this particular case, it may have been appropriate to specify the hours of serving being applied for.

"I apologise for any inconvenience or concern the original letter may have caused to residents."

However, the letter adds: "I have reviewed the file and consider that the description in the council's letter does reflect the nature of the application.

"I want to assure you the description on the letter has not been designed in any way to mislead residents."

Council leader, John Williams, said: "We thank residents for bringing this matter to the council's attention and, as a result, we have acted quickly to send out an amended letter."

A date for the decision on the planning application has yet to be set.