AN industrial estate for start-up businesses has been given the go-ahead despite objections from residents.

Plans for the estate in Faverdale West, Darlington, were approved by the council's planning committee this week.

But a series of conditions were attached to the application to meet neighbours' concerns.

They included an alteration to the site layout and restrictions to business hours to reduce noise pollution, protection of trees, a travel plan to be put forward and footpaths built within the site to promote people walking to walk.

The estate will have a shower block for people cycling to work.

Committee members gave council officers designated powers to oversee the work.

Residents had objected to the plan for many reasons, particularly noise problems and the proximity of the development.

One opponent, who spoke for residents in Faverdale Road, said at the meeting: "This is going to create more problems for us. We don't think 40 metres from our houses is sufficient."

Ward councillor Barrie Armstrong said: "It could be used for a considerable number of industrial uses. No one knows what uses they could be and what noise would go with those uses."

Peter Camp, from the architects, said the site would be for starter businesses. He added: "It would compensate for the loss of jobs in this area."