AN MP has stepped into a row over a town hall's handling of plans for a restaurant.

Stockton South MP Dari Taylor is adding her voice to demands that Stockton Borough Council explains its U-turn in agreeing to the conversion of a disused funeral parlour into an eaterie in Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe.

Egglescliffe Parish Council wants answers for what it says "appears to be a breach of natural justice" by Stockton council.

A protest letter has been sent to council chief executive George Garlick with a copy to Mrs Taylor, detailing the parish council's concerns and asking for a detailed explanation.

The proposal was initially thrown out because of road safety concerns.

However, following a complaint by lawyers acting for applicant Mohammed Emadi, who owns the Yarm restaurant Yarm 85, the scheme was reconsidered and approved after the restaurateur addressed the planning committee.

Objectors say that the same courtesy was not extended to them.

The permission means the loss of green open space for car parking on the bank, near Yarm's bridge over the Tees.

Councillor Ian Bewley, chairman of Egglescliffe Parish Council, said: "We have no objection to there being a restaurant there, but we are very concerned about the road safety aspect.

"It is sited off a major road where traffic can be quite intense at times - almost bordering on the dangerous."

Councillor Brian Jones, chairman of neighbouring Yarm Town Council, said every resident of Eaglescliffe and Yarm should feel "aggrieved" over Stockton council's handling of the issue.

Mrs Taylor said: "I am surprised Stockton has done this, and disappointed. If they allow the restaurateur or his legal representative to make a statement to the council, then equally it would be fair to hear what the major objections to the proposal are.

"I support Eaglescliffe Parish Council for asking for reasons in a clear statement on how, and in what way, this decision has come about.

"It appears the small guy seems to have lost once again to the power of the big pound."

A spokesperson for Stockton council said the legal director had written to the parish council, adding: "All points of view, whether they be for or against, are taken into account before a decision is made."