RESIDENTS have backed plans to build terraced housing on the site of a derelict petrol station.

An application has been submitted to council planners to convert the former Shell garage, in North Road, Darlington, into 13 homes.

It follows three separate failed bids by supermarket giants Tesco to build an express store on the land.

The superstore put the land up for sale after planners rejected its third bid. A local firm of builders bought the site subject to plans being approved and instructed architects to draw up plans for 13 two-bedroom homes.

At the end of April, the firm, A Gregory Building Contractors, sent out details of its plans to local residents and asked for their views.

A total of 22 returned questionnaires have been submitted with the application. Only two did not want houses on the site, with three voting against the intended plans.

Half of those replying said they did not want the site turned into flats.

Respondents made a series of comments, which included concerns about the lack of parking, privacy and the number of homes.

One person said: "It will be nice to see the site used for houses but 13 seems an awful lot for such a small space."

Another said: "I am delighted the site is to be developed for residential use and by a local firm."

However, one person said: "After five years of being a vacant, derelict site it is a long, overdue development. I do not feel that the proposed plans will add to the value of our house."

Another person simply said he wanted "a new Tesco" to be built.

Shell closed the store in February 2005 and the land has been regularly vandalised since.

A planning brief supplied by the developers said: "Being a local resident, I am aware of the impact of the derelict site has on our area and the anti-social behaviour problems for the residents in the closest proximity to the site.

"I believe that the development of the site will not only enhance our local community and add to the value of the surrounding homes but will also benefit local business and the church."

The statement added that terraced homes had been chosen because there were too many flats in which not all people wanted to live.