MOBILE phone company Vodafone was last night given permission to erect a 25-metre telecommunications mast in Darlington.

The borough council's planning committee approved the plan for the mast and other equipment in Salters Lane.

It will replace a 15-metre Orange mast, despite concerns by councillors.

Councillor Glen Reynolds said the health impact of masts was still unknown.

But council officials warned that in previous cases where mast applications had been refused, the companies involved had won permission on appeal.

* THE design of a £620,000 sports pavilion in Darlington was agreed by councillors.

Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College applied for approval of the layout of the facility on the Abbey Road playing fields.

Permission had already been given for perimeter fencing and closed-circuit television cameras on the site.

The old pavilion has been badly vandalised in recent years and college officials said its replacement was essential.

* A PLUMBING and heating engineering company's plan to build offices in Darlington was approval, despite opposition.

GA Oliver Limited requested permission for single-storey premises in Kingsway, in the town's Whinfield area.

Residents had argued there were more suitable sites on industrial estates.

They also feared an increase in traffic in an area where children played.

* MORE than 100 homes are to be built in Darlington after councillors gave their approval yesterday.

George Wimpey Homes will create 60 houses and 60 apartments on land in Geneva Lane.

Security concerns about the development had been expressed by the Territorial Army Centre, in Neasham Road.

A resident also questioned how the narrow road under the railway line in Parkside would cope with extra traffic.

Conditions of the consent include Wimpey building a sports pavilion with ten changing rooms, five football pitches and a cricket pitch in South Park. Improvements will also be made to Eastbourne Park.

* COUNCILLORS have backed a revised plan for a route linking Haughton Road, in Darlington, to the A66.

The £5.7m Eastern Transport Corridor is seen as one of the town's most crucial developments.

The proposals involve adding a T-junction, roundabout and section of road to the original plan

The scheme is designed to cut traffic congestion in Haughton village and Great Burdon, on the edge of town, as well as providing a new link to the Lingfield Point and Morton Palms business estates.