RESIDENTS who live opposite the proposed site of a skate park fear it will lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

The £60,000 development is expected to attract young people from all over Darlington as part of a £3.9m transformation of South Park.

It is to be built on former tennis courts in front of houses, at the junction of Parkside and Loraine Crescent.

Householders say they already have problems with gangs of youths and fear the development will only exacerbate the situation.

One Parkside man, who did not wish to be identified, said: "The kids round here are out of control and this is going to make the situation worse because there will be so much more of them.

"It will become a meeting place and it will drive residents barmy.

"Who would want a skate park in front of their house?"

A Loraine Crescent resident said people were concerned the noise from skaters would affect their quality of life and the value of their properties.

He said: "People have already been talking to their estate agents and they think there will be a serious devaluation in their house prices.

"They should put it out of the way to cushion the noise from residents."

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said the development already had planning permission but that it was considering other sites.

West Park ward Councillor Jim Ruck said mobile skate parks had operated from the area previously without any complaints.

He said: "We will have proper strategies in place and it will be properly organised. It is not going to be a free-for-all.

"We have done a survey among young people and this was the top choice. We are trying to give them what they want."

Durham Constabulary supports the council's efforts to provide facilities for young people and said the skate park idea was to be commended.

Police say officers understand the concerns.

A spokesman said: "As South Park is not an area which presently attracts large numbers of young people, perhaps some thought should be given to having the skate park in another location.

"A brownfield site, for example, might be more appropriate."