CALLS for a town-wide debate on plans to redevelop South Park in Darlington were supported by a borough councillor yesterday.

Coun Cyndi Hughes and fellow Park East councillors Glen Reynolds and Joe Lyonette have backed residents who had complained about a lack of consultation over plans to build a sports pavilion and site football and cricket pitches in the park.

The public outcry has led to a complaint to the ombudsman who has ordered the council to carry out an internal investigation into its handling of the affair.

Coun Hughes said: "I think the process of this application has been handled badly.

"People genuinely feel that something important that belongs to the town is being taken from them, but that is not the case.

"Really, it should have been a good news story with everybody on board. People should have been consulted more widely."

The council's planning committee agreed to the plan in principle at last month's meeting, with a condition that the pavilion and pitches were moved to a more suitable location.

An amended version will be considered at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

The three Park East councillors had arranged a public meeting with council officers to explain the plans on Tuesday, but this has had to be cancelled as officers were advised not to attend because of the pending complaint to the ombudsman.