DEVELOPERS behind plans to demolish a house to build a rest home have withdrawn their application.

But, after receiving objections to the proposals for Rest Harrow, in Nunthorpe, Swiftbuild Properties plans to re-submit the scheme in a different form.

Last month, a 3,000-name petition was handed to planners protesting against plans to demolish the 1920 house and replace it with a 61-bedroomed care home.

The large detached house, in Guisborough Road, has been bought by developers Paul Nelson and Ian Howlett, who own Nunthorpe Nurseries.

In a separate application, they have submitted plans to Middlesbrough Council for three houses in the gardens of Rest Harrow, one of which already has approval. It is expected that if the council planners approve the Swiftbuild scheme, the two owners would sell the land to the company.

Jenna Salmon, of Swiftbuild Properties, said: "Our plan has been withdrawn so alterations can be made before it will be put back in. I don't exactly know what will change as the architect is still working on the plans.

"It wasn't going to go through as it was, so we decided to withdraw it and make some changes that will hopefully make people a bit happier."

She added: "We don't want to upset people at all. We want to accommodate what everyone wants and we have been reading the objections and hopefully we can take some of them on board."

On hearing the news, campaigners vowed to continue to fight any new proposals that are submitted, if they have an impact on the area.

Objector Lesley Tomlinson, secretary of Nunthorpe Community Council, said: "We will wait and see what will happen. We are very concerned with the future.

"The petition was against the demolition of Rest Harrow and replacing it with a care home. It did not suit the character of Nunthorpe.

"We are certainly not against sensitive development of the area."