RESIDENTS are hoping that plans to redevelop the site of a former hotel will be rejected.

Taylor Woodrow Developments wants to build 24 flats on the site of the former Redhills Hotel, Redhills Lane, Durham.

The company wants to build two three-storey buildings, 24 spaces for residents' parking and two spaces for visitors.

But the plan has run into opposition from neighbours, who sent 21 letters of objection to Durham City Council , and the City of Durham Trust.

Council planning officers recommended that the development control committee approve the scheme, but councillors decided to visit the site before making a decision.

Councillors will make the visit on Wednesday.

The City of Durham Trust is concerned that there are not enough parking spaces on the site.

Neighbours are also concerned about the number of spaces and say the development is too dense, the facing distances with neighbouring homes are inadequate, and that the proposed buildings are too tall and will block light to neighbouring homes.

They have also said the development will cause an "unacceptable level of traffic generation".

Mike Hay, of Neville Terrace, said: "Everyone is in favour of development on the site - it is overgrown - but with this development they are trying to squeeze as much as they can out of a small piece of land.

"There are 24 parking spaces for residents and two for visitors. They will be quite expensive flats and I would imagine the people who buy them will be well-off and may have two cars.

"With Durham Johnston School next to the site, the road gets very congested in the morning and afternoon.

"The highways authority can't see a problem but I wonder if they have been there at the right time. Another 24 cars will not make life easier."

A report to the development control committee said the application had been amended but the residents were still objecting

It added that planning officers considered the scale of development to be acceptable and that the facing distances were "not intolerable", although not ideal.

Councillors will decide the application after Wednesday's site visit.