RESIDENTS who fear a unique building will be demolished and replaced with

apartments are being urged to fight the development.

Stockton Borough Council has received a planning application from George Wimpey Ltd to erect 36 two-bedroomed apartments in three- storey blocks on the sites of The Rookery and Sunnymount, in Eaglescliffe.

The development would involve the demolition of both buildings.

At a packed public meeting on Friday night, John Tait, an Eaglescliffe resident for more than 30 years, said he believed the Rookery once belonged to a sea captain and was built to look like the bridge of a ship.

He said: "This is a unique building that will be lost if the development is given the go-ahead.

"The Rookery is a demonstration of a local unique building, in my opinion, and we have to fight these plans."

Residents also expressed concern at too much development in the area, a rise in traffic problems and the impact it would have on the neighbourhood's appearance.

Trish Burrow said: "Developers are changing the character of the area. One thing we can all do is just send in one letter of objection. I think it will have some clout.

"It is going to be an eyesore and traffic is going to be much worse. It is just a nightmare."

Egglescliffe Parish Council hopes to send leaflets to households in the area, urging people to voice their concerns.

The plans can be seen at the Muncipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton, until Friday. The office is open between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Wednesday, between 8.30am and 7pm on Thursday and between 8.30am and 4pm on Friday.

No one from Wimpey was at the meeting.