A BID to build 250 homes on former industrial land in Darlington looks set to be blocked by council planners.

Officials have recommended that permission to build the new estate off Whessoe Road is refused.

Officers at Darlington Borough Council have determined that the scheme should not be approved because it does not feature enough affordable housing.

Developer St Modwen Ventures Limited hoped to be granted outline planning permission to build 214 houses and 36 flats at the derelict 18- acre former Corus site.

The scheme had the support of many local residents, who were keen to see the eyesore site cleaned up.

In December, St Modwen sent out 710 letters about the scheme to nearby residents, and held a public exhibition day at St George’s Bridge Club. Out of 34 people who completed a questionnaire about the plan, 33 said they were in favour of it.

Councillors meet to discuss the plan on Wednesday, in the town hall.

In papers prepared for the meeting, officers have advised that the application should be rejected.

The council’s planning policy prohibits the building of housing estates, unless a strict quota of homes are designed as affordable.

The St Modwen scheme is said to be short of the requirement.

Although the council can offer special dispensation if developers have a good reason for not including the requisite number of affordable homes, councillors will be advised that the developers have not made the case to justify an exemption.

The papers state: “Planning permission should be refused.

“The applicant has failed to provide a robust case to justify waiving or reducing the affordable housing provision for the site.”

Sections of the site have been empty for two years, and have become a magnet for vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Part of the land will be occupied by Corus-owned Tinsley Trailers until 2012. If planning permission is granted, building work would begin in the next three years.

Architects’ plans for the estate show a range of two storey houses – 96 of which would have two bedrooms, 68 with three, and 50 with four or more. Another 18 one bedroom flats, plus 18 with two bedrooms, would also be built in three-storey blocks.

Wednesday’s meeting will be held in committee room 2, at the town hall, at 1.30pm.