A REVISED plan to build a house in the grounds of a dilapidated 19th Century building is expected to be approved by councillors in Darlington tomorrow.

But permission for the two-storey detached home will only be granted if money is made available to renovate the exterior of Harewood Grove, a grade II-listed building in the Grange Road conservation area that has fallen into disrepair.

An earlier application to build two houses in the grounds of the property met fierce opposition from neighbouring residents, 13 of whom wrote to Darlington Borough Council to object to the proposal.

They argued that the development would destroy wildlife and trees, pave the way for more properties to be built in the conservation zone, and change the overall ambience of the area.

The revised application for one house is less controversial, although several objections have been received.

One resident said it would "detract from the historical interest in the area".

The council's tree officer also believes the house should not be built because it would damage two mature beech trees in the grounds.

A report to be presented to the authority's planning committee tomorrow describes the site and its surroundings as having "deteriorated dramatically" over time and as currently being in an "unkempt state".

Harewood Grove, which was built as eight large town houses in 1835, is owned by the Armstrong family and has since been converted into 16 flats.

It was in one of the flats that cannibal killer David Harker strangled and mutilated mother-of-four Julie Paterson in 1998.

The Armstrongs have been served notices by the council ordering them to carry out structural repairs because the building was in such a poor condition.

Some improvements have since been made but work to preserve the property's exterior is still needed.

If permission is granted a legal agreement will be drawn up to ensure that some of the money generated from the sale of the new property will be used to repair Harewood Grove.