COUNCILLORS were subjected to a torrent of abuse by outraged residents at a meeting yesterday to decide the future of Darlington's South Park.

The atmosphere in the town hall council chamber became increasingly heated as proposals to build sports pitches, a pavilion and car park were debated.

Approval for the controversial plan was agreed in principle at a meeting last month.

Yesterday, Darlington Borough Council's planning committee was asked to consider an amended plan, which members also approved.

The meeting began with an admission from John Buxton, the council's development and environment director, that many residents had not received letters informing them about the scheme.

Hoots of derision greeted his suggestion that the letters, sent out in February, could have been lost by Royal Mail.

"Which houses were they sent to?" shouted one man. "None."

More than 150 letters of objection have been sent to the authority since consultation on the plan was extended.

But Mr Buxton said none of them raised any significant planning issues.

Assistant director of environmental services, Terry Collins, described the new facilities being offered by Cleveland Bridge, in exchange for permission to build housing in Geneva Lane, as a major boost for young people.

He said football and cricket teams would only play there at weekends.

"It is not our intention to turn South Park into a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week football arena," he said.

But residents fear the pitches will be in constant use. They object to any redevelopment of the show field, say the pavilion will be vandalised and that the car park will be dangerous for children playing nearby.

To a round of applause, protestor Martin Wilson, of Victoria Embankment, urged councillors to overturn the original approval.

"Why was not the whole town consulted?" he asked.

Park East ward councillor Cyndi Hughes came in for the most abuse from the gallery, being branded a "liar" and "traitor" for voting in favour of the scheme. She was warned she would never be voted back in.

As councillors voted in favour of the amended plan, residents stormed out of the meeting.

Coun Hughes told The Northern Echo she did not want to respond to the objectors' insults.

Mr Wilson said after the verdict: "It is so depressing. We feel very, very let down."

The council has been reported to the Local Government Ombudsman over its handling of the consultation.