A COUNTRYSIDE watchdog has been criticised for objecting to a proposed housing development on derelict land in Darlington.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) raised objections to the development on land to the south of Allan Street.

The organisation opposed the building work because, it argued, the layout did not take into account possible future development in the area, and there was no recreation space provided for in the scheme.

It asked for an amount of money be put aside to maintain open spaces and that a report be submitted on land contamination because the land was a former factory site.

But members of Darlington Borough Council's planning committee, which met this week, were angry that the CPRE, which is traditionally concerned with development in rural areas, had become involved in the application.

Council leader Councillor John Williams said: "This a featureless urban site, ideal for development.

"By objecting to brown field sites like this, they work against their aims, by pushing us to consider developing greenbelt sites."

The police have also suggested that proposals for a footpath at one end of the site, which will contain 41 houses, should be reconsidered, to reduce the possible risk of criminal activity.

This suggestion was rejected on the grounds that the footpath would provide "a really valuable function".

Council members agreed unanimously to grant the application.