Darlington Building Society has come under fire for proposing to demolish an imposing 20s' house to build three-storey flats.

Architects in the town cannot believe the society wants to raze Chesterfield House to the ground and replace it with 31 flats.

The property stands in the middle of the Stanhope Road conservation area on the corner of Stanhope Road South with Coniscliffe Road. It has been used as offices and, more recently, by Darlington college of technology.

Now architects Mr Neil Anderson and his partner Mr John Ellis have written to Darlington council to object to the plans.

"As a major company in the town the building society should respect the local environment, not destroy it in the search for higher profits," they said.

Mr Anderson told the D&S Times: "This is a fine example of the period and whatever the new development, it won't ever achieve the rich detail of the present building. It must not come down."

They are also against the society's plans to alter the interior of Chorley Cottage in Langholm Crescent to form four flats.

"This is another pleasant building with fine Arts and Crafts details, many of which would be lost."

Mr Alan Todd, another architect, pointed out: "Twenty-five years ago Chesterfield House was divided in two by rival architectural firms. It was considered the kind of building architects wanted to be seen in."

Mr David Copland, the society's marketing and communications manager, said he hoped when people saw the new design it would convince the doubters.

"We wouldn't have gone down this route without trying to anticipate some of the objections. We have tried to preserve some of the architectural features."

He said the society, which is seeking planning permission as Darlington Homes, had been told the foundations were not suitable for the conversion back to residential accommodation.

But Mr Derek Bainbridge, chairman of Darlington civic society, was unimpressed by the arguments.

"We have said we are not in favour of demolition. It is ridiculous that such an attractive building on a prominent corner is being totally removed. They have just paid lip service in the new design to some of the original features."

"I am a surveyor and I find it difficult to believe the foundations are not good enough. It doesn't look to me as if it is subsiding. This is a quality building above ground and I have no reason to doubt the foundations."

He has written to the society saying that a local company, which was not short of money, must be able to find some economic use for the building.

"There is no reason why it should not be converted to residential use," he added.

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