CONTROVERSIAL proposals to redevelop Darlington's South Park have been temporarily shelved.

Cleveland Bridge, the company which has been granted permission to build a pavilion, sports pitches and a car park at the park, said it has no immediate plans to start work.

In the meantime, angry residents, who say the proposed development will destroy the area for public use, are likely to appeal against the planning decision by requesting a public inquiry.

Last week, scores of protestors attended a council meeting at which amended proposals for the park were approved by councillors.

But Cleveland Bridge managing director Alan Nightingale said: "As far as I am concerned at the moment, I am not aware that we have got any formal planning approval. As far as when work might start, it is certainly not on our immediate radar scan."

The company offered the new park facilities to Darlington Borough Council in exchange for permission to build housing on land at Geneva Lane. The Geneva Lane plan has been referred to the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr Nightingale said: "Until we get all of the green lights from all of the various authorities and departments we don't have any approval to proceed."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said there was nothing to stop work proceeding at the park.

Objector Susan Hughes, of Kingsbury Mews, said Cleveland Bridge's decision would give campaigners "a bit of breathing space".

"Maybe it will give us time to get somebody to change their mind," she said.

Martin Wilson, of Victoria Embankment, who spoke at last Wednesday's meeting, said residents were considering their next move.

"I think we can go for a public inquiry and that is something we are looking at," he said.

"We are not giving up yet but it feels as though we are banging our heads against a brick wall most of the time. We have serious concerns about the way the council has acted in all of this."

Planning permission was granted in June, but residents argued that their views were not sought.

Darlington Borough Council has since been reported to the Local Government Ombudsman for its handling of the consultation.