MILLIONAIRE businessman Duncan Bannatyne has got the go-ahead to expand a North-East hotel, despite objections.

Darlington Borough Council has granted permission for a four-storey extension to the north-eastern side of the Grade II-listed Grange Hotel, to create 15 more bedrooms.

The extension will replace a conference suite, and a new function room will be built on the eastern side of the hotel.

The Grange, in the town's Southend Avenue, was acquired by the chairman of Bannatyne Fitness in 1998, through his company Creme de la Creme.

The extension will be the third significant expansion to the building in recent years and will increase the number of rooms in the hotel to 61.

Councillors approved the application despite complaints that the scheme was unacceptable to the owners of flats in neighbouring Westcliffe Court.

A letter sent to the council's planning department said residents were "very concerned about the visual aspect to the proposed extension".

The letter also said that access to the hotel was "most obscure" and guests often drove around on private land, even though prohibitive signs were displayed.

Planning officers told members that there would be no impact on the Westcliffe Court flats, because the extension would be a considerable distance away.

Despite concern from members, officers also assured them that 36 car parking spaces would be sufficient for guests at the hotel.