A ROW has broken out over the name of a new community development in Darlington.

The building, in Skerne Park, which includes a new primary school, is being called Riverside Centre by Darlington Borough Council, but the local community has asked why it hasn't been consulted on the name.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, who represents the Park East ward, including Skerne Park, said the community partnership had raised concerns.

"Some people will think that the name isn't important, and that what is important is that £4.5m has been invested to help the community family of Park East to gain skills for work and for life. But I believe people need to identify the site and all of the facilities as their own."

Yesterday, a council spokeswoman said: "The Riverside was a working name for the whole project, which was agreed by all the partners involved.

"Subsequent meetings with the school, governors and the management group have resulted in a decision to consult wider on an official name for the building.

"Signs for the front of the building are on hold until a name is chosen. The school is already working with pupils to collect their ideas and the views of the wider community will also be sought," she said.

Coun Hughes and the other Park East councillors, Joe Lyonette and Glen Reynolds, have toured the new building, which includes the school, libraries and community learning, Parkside Neighbourhood Nursery and a SureStart children's centre.

The development, to open in February, has been designed by architects Browne Smith Baker and will include adult education, childcare, health services and an advice centre for parents.

The headteacher of the new 315-pupil Skerne Park Primary School, Di Teasdale, said: "This is an exciting time for everyone involved in this project. We were delighted to show the councillors around this innovative scheme, which is in the centre of the community it serves."

Councillor Lyonette, who is also a governor, said: "Both the pupils and the staff have been actively involved in the planning of the layout of the building and I'm sure that they will be pleased with the finished product."