A CAMPAIGN has been mounted against plans for a multi-storey car park to be built as part of Darlington's new £45m shopping centre.

About 200 people have complained to Darlington Borough Council that the development, which is part of the revamp of Queen Street arcade, would intrude into a heavily populated residential area.

The 25-unit, two-level shopping centre could be completed within two years of planning consent being granted and will have parking on the roof for 230 cars.

The centre will be connected by a bridge to a 700-space multi-storey car park over the ring road.

The Friends of North Lodge Park, many of whom live near the proposed site of the car park, have started a petition and will write to the council outlining their fears.

They are concerned about the size of the car park, the impact on green space and wildlife, and a rise in traffic and pollution.

Chairman of the group Yvonne Richardson has written to council planners to raise the concerns. She said: "Noise and exhaust pollution will be much greater with the increase in stop-start traffic in North Road, from Harrowgate Hill to Northgate roundabout.

"This huge increase in exhaust and noise pollution will affect, over a wide area, the health of park users - especially the children using the play area, the trees and wildlife.

"It is surely unreasonable to impose this on the population immediately north of the proposed car park."

The group says that green space will be lost and exhaust pollution dramatically increased.

Ms Richardson said: "If a car park must be built then Archer Street car park would seem to be more suitable."

A council spokeswoman said: "We have received a petition and our officers will be investigating the issues and responding to people involved."