A VACANT school site is to be transformed with more than 100 new homes.

Land at the old Beaumont Hill senior, middle and first schools site, at Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, is to be sold by Darlington Borough Council so developers can build the new estate.

Members of the council planning committee approved the project at a meeting at Darlington Arts Centre.

Developer McInerney Homes will build 101 houses and 27 apartments once it has finished negotiations to buy the land from the council.

Harrowgate Hill ward councillor Gill Cartwright told the meeting that residents had concerns about plans to cut down trees to make way for the development, and called for a play area to be built for children.

"The nearest play area is across Salters Lane North, but there is no safe crossing available," she said. "It is fair to say that residents in principle are not against the development but would like to see some amendments - including consideration for play equipment to be made available within the site."

Coun David Lyonette said the decision on where to place the play equipment should be made once the development was finished.

"In our experience it's better that local residents decide where they want the play areas to be once they have moved in," he said.

The three separate planning applications for the site were approved unanimously.