A COMMUNITY group has voiced its opposition to redevelopment plans for a North-East town centre.

The Friends of North Lodge Park group, in Darlington, has sent letters of opposition to council officials, detailing their concerns about proposals for the Commercial Street shopping centre.

Three of the four potential redevelopment plans include a multi-storey car park for about 900 cars in Kendrew Street, which the Friends group says will severely affect the park it is working to redevelop.

It says the traffic problems in the north of Darlington are already bad and have urged council chiefs not to allow a car park to be built on that side of the ring road.

It also says any car park that is built should not have more than two levels.

The group has pledged its support for the rest of the plan, which comprises parking within the shopping centre, and an underground car park for 100 cars.

A final decision will be made on the plans, and a developer will be chosen, at a Darlington Borough Council cabinet meeting on April 12.

Yvonne Richardson, chairwoman of group, said she was worried about the impact a multi-storey car park would have on its attempts to enhance and conserve the park.

"The plans look exciting and are, no doubt, important for the town, but our concern is the negative impact the proposed car park will have," she said.

"In terms of accommodation for cars, the plan without the multi-storey building seems to be the only acceptable solution for park users and residents who live nearby."

The group said in a letter to the council that the car park should not be built next to the park, which is a conservation area and has a children's play area.

The proposed car park would also intrude into an area designated for housing in the council's Local Plan, it argues.

"The car park will be a great intrusion into what is a densely populated, wholly residential area," the letter said.

"None of the houses has gardens and the park is therefore very important to the people living there."