PUBLIC and professional outcry has forced Darlington Building Society to do a U-turn on its proposals to demolish an imposing town centre house.

It has withdrawn its plans to raze Chesterfield - at the junction of Stanhope Road and Coniscliffe Road - with 31 flats.

It has also decided against altering the interior of nearby Chorley Cottage, with its arts and crafts details, to form four flats.

Instead, its subsidiary, Darlington Homes, has submitted revised plans for 12 superior quality apartments on a courtyard to the rear of both buildings, fronting Scarth Street.

Mr Doug Christie, managing director said: "Darlington Homes is confident that this development will enhance a prominent site by returning it to residential use.

"The new plans will fulfill public expectations for the area and help to meet the demand for quality housing in the town centre in accordance with current planning guidelines."

Local architects, Mr Neil Anderson and his partner, Mr John Ellis, were the first to object to the demolition plans.

He welcomed the news and commented: " I think the society has been slightly embarrassed by the response. I think every architect I know has written to complain and we were sent copies of letters from other objectors."

The society says further consideration is being given to the future of Chesterfield and architects are being invited to submit their ideas at a later date.

Mr Anderson said: "We were asked to come up with a scheme originally and produced sketches to alter the building into ten flats. But I think the cost was more than the society wanted to be involved with and they opted for demolition."

Mr David Copland told the D&S Times: "The revised plan is based on the fact we did want to listen to what the local residents were saying and we have reacted positively to that."

The block of three-storey, two bedroom flats have access from Stanhope Road and the kitchens and living rooms will overlook a landscaped area inside the development.

The bedrooms will face out into Scarth Street and there will be 12 parking spaces within the site.

Chesterfield was vacated by the building society in 1994 when it relocated its head office in Lingfield Way, on the edge of town.

Until 2000 it was let to Darlington college of technology, which did not renew the lease. That decided the company to return it to residential use.

The revised application will have to be approved by Darlington planning committee