Darlington'S heritage will suffer a further blow if a proposal to demolish a Victorian house is approved, say objectors.

Developers are planning to replace the former Grantley nursing home in Carmel Road North with four detached houses.

The news comes just days after Darlington Borough Council allowed an application for a development in the grounds of nearby Greystones, despite strong local opposition.

Carmel Road resident David Hayward said: "The demolition of another Victorian building in Carmel Road North to us epitomises the attitude of developers to the West End of Darlington.

"They have clearly no regard for the heritage of the area. These villas were once famous and the town was proud of them."

He said: "The fact that this is being proposed literally down the road from Greystones just shows to us the lack of sensitivity, not only by developers but also by the planning committee.

"They are willing to sacrifice important properties for the sake of development which no-one seems to want - except the developers."

Mr Hayward said he accepted that the building, previously owned by the former head of Darlington-based company Farmway, needed improving.

He said: "What they are proposing is infinitely more sensible than what was proposed for Greystones.

"It's quite a sensible development compared with the preposterous and outrageous proposal for Greystones.

"But we would prefer the conversion of it into flats, rather than its demolition."

Mr Hayward said that opponents were still looking at ways to stop the Greystones development