AN organic market garden business looks likely to be allowed to continue despite objections.

Darlington Borough Council is to discuss an application to renew the temporary planning permission for a mobile home and two storage containers in the gardens of Walworth Castle.

The structures were central to a business plan submitted three years ago for the production of organic fruit and vegetables on a site owned separately to the castle.

But council officials say little progress has been made, leading to a new business plan being submitted based on the growing of organic vegetables and the manufacture of wrought iron goods in a potting shed.

The council received one letter of objection, which said that many visitors to the castle had commented on the "unsightly" look of the area and that the site was being run down.

But planning committee members, who meet on Wednesday, are being encouraged to extend permission to September 2005.

A report to councillors says: "The caravan and containers are not considered to be entirely appropriate in the context of the adjacent listed building or parkland setting, and it is unlikely that permission would be granted for the permanent retention of these structures.

"However, given that these structures are well screened and the temporary nature of the proposal, the need for the structures to serve the site in the short-term is considered to outweigh any short-term harm.