THE Campaign to Protect Rural England has been criticised by Darlington planning committee for its "extravagant" language over a town centre scheme.

The demolition of a tyre depot at the corner of Coniscliffe Road, West Street and Northumberland Street was given consent on Wednesday to make way for 24 two-storey flats in the form of a traditional terrace.

Jeremy Smith, planning officer, said the original scheme had been changed following the intervention of the council's conservation officer.

The Civic Trust, which disliked the original scheme because of poor design and choice of materials, had withdrawn its objections after seeing the altered design.

But the CPRE had not been heard from since its initial reaction, which stated that: "The monstrosity is totally out of character with this area of Darlington and is in our opinion a visual carbuncle destroying the visual amenity of the area."

Council leader John Williams said he was pleased that the trust was now supporting the scheme, adding: "I think this is a planning gain replacing an old tyre depot in the centre of the town with quality residential development. We want to get rid of areas like this in prime locations."

Referring to the CPRE as having a "cows and green field image", he said it had no business making comments on applications in the middle of Darlington.

Chairman, Coun Frank Robson, agreed saying: "I think members would have been just a little shocked at the extravagant language which makes me question the validity of its comments. They were over the top."

Coun Sheila Brown said she thought valuers Thomas Watson had a point in saying it might be unwise to give up a key site to solely residential use, as people were already going outside Darlington to do their shopping.

But the chairman pointed out that authorities were being encouraged to bring people back to live in town centres.

Coun Charles Johnson said he would have liked a more sympathetic scheme which took into account the nearest houses.

Coun Cyndi Hughes said she thought there should be a pedestrian crossing point if children were going to be living in the flats and officers agreed to look at that possibility.