PLANS are being submitted to build 36 homes on a piece of waste ground in Darlington.

The application, on the site of the former Co-op garage, in Parkgate, has been welcomed by a local councillor.

Durham-based development company Dunelm Castle Homes is submitting the application for the apartments.

The plans are to go on show at Darlington Crown Street Library and the developers are inviting comments from the public.

The development would be accessed from Melland Street and would consist of two blocks of apartments.

The blocks would have off-street and courtyard parking.

The buildings would be up to three-and-half storeys and constructed from a mixture of red brickwork, white render and natural timber cladding.

In addition, some apartments would have metal grey-painted balconies.

The larger block, which contains 22 flats, will also feature a prominent tower on the south-west corner.

The Victorian brick wall will also be retained, capped in art stone and finished with a stainless steel handrail.

Paul Armstrong, technical director of Dunelm Castle, said: "Both buildings will be of contemporary design appropriate for its prominent position on one of the main routes into the town centre.

"We have liaised extensively to date with Darlington council regarding the proposals to ensure the scheme complies and where possible exceeds car parking standards and privacy distances from the proposed buildings to the existing homes."

Although she had some slight concerns over the amount of parking spaces at the development, ward councillor Isobel Hartley said she welcomed the scheme.

Councillor Hartley said: "On the whole, I'm very glad that something is being done with the land.

"We have been hoping that something is going to happen with it.

"There has been a lot of vandalism and kids playing about and breaking glass.

"We did ask the council to chase up the owners to close it up. It was so messy and gave such a bad image."

Drawings illustrating the proposal will be available for viewing in the reference section at Crown Street Library from today until Saturday, March 25.