COUNCIL planners have sparked safety fears among homeowners by backing plans to demolish a house in the middle of a terrace.

Neighbours living next to the decaying 19th Century property told of their concerns that their property could collapse as the scheme gets under way.

Darlington Borough Council this week granted permission for the building to be pulled down, despite the protests of neighbours and the authority's leader.

Councillors gave the go-ahead for 20 Station Road, near the town's railway museum, to be demolished to make way for two apartments and four flats.

Ian Bradley, whose mother, Beryl, bought number 18 in February to renovate it, said: "If you demolish this, you will pull our house down as well.

"The area has got into the state it has by allowing multiple-occupancy dwellings in once-nice houses."

After the planning meeting, he said: "We intend to fight for safeguards for our property."

A majority of councillors voted in support of the development, proposed by Howard Housing Limited.

The vote went in favour, even though authority leader John Williams said he had serious concerns and voted against the idea.

He said: "This is the first time I can recollect a mid-terraced house being put forward for complete demolition.

"To completely demolish it is extremely radical and I do have concerns about it.

Councillor Bill Holmes said: "I am fearful that the walls of the neighbours' houses will collapse when they start to take it down.

"I hate to think what could happen, given the age of the property and its condition."

However, Malcolm Cundick, on behalf of the architects, said it would be difficult to redevelop the property while leaving it standing.

He said detailed proposals for the demolition and safety measures to protect neighbouring houses would be drawn up before work began.