PLANS are being considered to build three new high street shops on an unused development site.

Property investor Hansteen Holdings submitted proposals to Darlington Borough Council to build a Lidl, Home Bargains and a drive-thru Starbucks Coffee in Faverdale.

Derek Heathwood, UK property director at Hansteen, said: "Submission of our planning application marks a key milestone in the delivery of a much needed retail scheme at Faverdale.

"This development will provide significant economic and social benefits to the local community."

Supermarket Lidl has agreed to take 22,873 square foot of the space and discount store Home Bargains are planning to build a 20,000 square foot outlet.

Lidl UK's regional head of property, David Murphy, said: "We are delighted to be opening a second store in Darlington, which marks another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme.

"We've seen incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country and look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to shoppers in and around Faverdale very soon."

Coffee chain Starbucks also plans to create a drive-through unit on 1,797 square foot of the land. The building would be the first Starbucks drive-thru in the town.

The site used to be the former SCA packaging area, located on the north side of Faverdale, on the edge of Faverdale Industrial Estate.

Hansteen has said further plans for outlets have been submitted for the 10-acre site. The company depending on planning approvals is hoping to start development in early 2019.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: “We can confirm we have received a planning application from property developer Hansteen Holdings PLC this morning which will be subject to our usual planning process.”