RESIDENTS fear plans to build 60 flats next to the former home of Darlington Football Club will spoil the area.

Aston Investments and Rotherham Holdings have submitted the plans for two blocks - three and four storeys high - on vacant land to the south of the disused Feethams football stadium.

It would includes the derelict Quaker Sports Centre which has been repeatedly vandalised and which was set on fire on Monday night.

The proposal for the 4,597 square metre site also includes basement car parking and traffic measures.

Access would be via a new bridge over the River Skerne from Victoria Embankment and Polam Lane.

But Maggie Weir, a resident of Victoria Embankment, said that local residents were concerned about the scheme and would object.

"I feel it would cause serious traffic problems in an already congested area of the town," she said.

"The apartment blocks themselves don't look attractive and I don't think they are in keeping with the Victoria Embankment conservation area.

"I'm concerned about the height of the blocks. Three and four storeys with basement car parking will demote the area.

"The proposed two-lane bridge at the bottom of Victoria Embankment will be built in front of a beautiful Victorian footbridge, which takes people to South Park. No-one will be able to see it."

A decision will be made by the council on September 1.

However, Mrs Weir does accept the site needs redeveloping, especially after the sports complex was badly damaged internally in Monday's fire.

Children questioned close to the scene said they had seen four youngsters entering the building.

Darlington police are investigating the incident and have boarded up the building. Anyone with information should call the police on 0845 6060 365.