RESIDENTS in the west end of Darlington are calling for a public meeting and starting a petition to fight the demolition of a Victorian building.

They have voiced their concern over Darlington Building Society's plans for the block of Stanhope Road featuring the Chesterfield building to be demolished and rebuilt into flats.

But the company believes the new block and conversion of the existing Chorley Cottage into 31 flats will incorporate existing external architectural features and overcome foundation problems.

It also believes the development will bring more residents into an area that is primarily designed for that use.

The building is on the corner of Langholm Crescent and Stanhope Road and is the society's former premises, but has recently been occupied by Darlington College until its lease ran out and was not renewed.

Among the fears voiced by residents are the destruction of the attractive buildings, the need for car parking, that the building would be sold to the highest bidder and that the scheme would set a precedent in the area, resulting in more flats and the devaluation of property in the area.

John and Pauline Suckling, of Langholm Crescent, have circulated notices calling for objectors to write to Darlington Borough Council, where a planning committee is due to discuss the plans in the near future.

They are planning to form an action group to fight the development they believe would be 'catastrophic' for the area.

However, a spokesman for the building society said the fears are unfounded and pointed to a development on the corner of Coniscliffe Road and Greenmount Road, which had actually improved the site and helped property prices to rise.

He said: "There is absolutely nothing for anybody to fear, because the buildings we have planned will actually enhance and improve that area of Stanhope Road and Coniscliffe Road.

"From the point of view of restoring and improving that area of town, it's entirely in keeping with the history of what is an attractive residential area."

He added it was 'regretful' that protestors had not contacted the company to resolve their fears.

"What would be detrimental to the area in the west end of Darlington is to allow plots like this to be maintained as semi-commercial plots.