PLANS for a 61-bed care home on open land in Darlington have been referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment, despite local objections.

St Martins Care has applied for planning permission to build a care home for the elderly on open space at the corner of Hutton Avenue and Riverside Way.

Yesterday, despite objections from residents in Hutton Avenue, the application was referred to the Environment Secretary for his views.

If no comment is made, the application will be approved using delegated powers to the council's director of development and environment.

The application had to be referred because the proposal is a departure from the local plan. The land is designated as open space and is in council ownership.

Linda Cox, who spoke on behalf of Hutton Avenue residents objecting to the scheme, said: "The building will invade privacy and block out natural sunlight, and the children will have nowhere else to play.

"Why don't you sell the three nursing homes you closed down to the developer, instead of putting up new buildings on green open space. It seems stupid to build another when there are three boarded up already."

After a reminder by the chairman of the planning committee, Councillor Frank Robson, that the closed homes did not form part of the planning application, Councillor John Williams recommended that the Environment Secretary should be advised that the council is minded to grant the application.

He said: "I can't see any valid reasons to refuse this. There are dozens of acres on the doorstep of this site for children to play safely. This is a quality building for community use for elderly people. I don't see this as being against the interests of residents."