PLANS to demolish a former police office to make way for apartments in Yarm are likely to be approved despite objections from local people.

Members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the application to build 38 one and two-bedroomed apartments on land between High Church Wynd and The Old Market, Yarm.

Eighteen letters of objection have been received by the council, as well as objections from Yarm Civic Society and Yarm Town Council.

In a letter to the committee, the town council said it objected because the plan was an over-development of the site, there was insufficient parking allocation and it would increase congestion on narrow streets.

It asked the committee to carry out a site visit before any decision is made.

The report to the committee said: "The site is within Yarm Conservation Area, where the style is one of tightly developed wynds with properties close together.

"The current application seeks to replicate this with one car-parking space per house and no garden space for the individual properties.

"The buildings have been carefully designed to echo the architecture of Yarm centre, retaining the spatial characteristics of the wynds but retaining privacy and reasonable space standards within the site and neighbouring properties.

The proposal involves the demolition of the former police building, a wall, garage and some trees.

Stockton council's historic buildings officer and English Heritage would like to see the building remain.

However, it is not a listed building and for the scheme to proceed it needs to be demolished.

The report said: "While accepting the development does involve the demolition of the former police buildings, the benefit of developing this unsightly area far outweighs it.

"The application is recommended for approval."