COUNCILLORS have agreed to visit the site of a large development of flats aimed at the over-55s after hearing residents’ concerns they would be too overbearing on their homes.

The proposed development of 46 flats built in two three-storey blocks on a patch of wasteland off Woodland Road, in Cockerton, Darlington, had generated a number of objections from residents living on Newlands Road.

Members of Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee heard that the developing the site was difficult due to its unusual shape and proximity to existing homes.

Two residents of Newlands Road spoke of their fears that the outlook from their homes and gardens would be blighted by the size and height of the proposed development and pleaded with councillors to see for themselves how close the new buildings would be.

Resident Peter Ashmore told the meeting that he was not against the development of the site but that it should not be done “at any price”.

He added: “There is a huge height difference between the buildings – you can’t begin to imagine the vastness of this proposal.

“It will be 45ft high and nearly 200ft long – it would dominate our view.”

Councillor Stephen Harker, ward member for Pierremont, spoke in support of the residents and encouraged the planning committee to see how different houses would be affected by the development.

Alastair Willis, from Signet Planning, speaking on behalf of the developer, said: “There is no easy one size fits all solution.

“This is a site that has lain vacant for many years and is a blot on the landscape.”

Asked if the development could become two storeys rather than three, Mr Willis replied: “The bigger issue is that it becomes unviable. If it does it will stay as a vacant site for another ten years.”

Councillor Charles Johnson referred to similar development refused by the council in 2003 over its size and added: “From what I can see there has been no change to the three basic problems that were in the 2003 application – the difference in height between the flats and the residents’ homes, the proximity to the residents’ homes and high density of the site.”

Council planning officer Roy Merritt said: “It is a very irregular shape and it is constrained, giving rise to a number of planning issues that need to be considered carefully.

“I accept that it is a tight site and is at the margins of acceptability.”

Members agreed to visit the site before making a decision.