A CONTROVERSIAL proposal for an out of town designer retail park at Scotch Corner has been given the go-ahead by planners.

Neighbouring councils at Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Hambleton have strongly criticised the plans for the detrimental impact it could have on their own town centres - but those fears were dismissed.

The park's approval by Richmondshire District Council means it will almost certainly be built, although the plan still needs to be endorsed by the Secretary of State before it can go ahead.

The Scotch Corner designer outlet centre, proposed by Scotch Corner Richmond LLP, seeks to provide a destination for shoppers wanting to buy high-end goods, attracting retailers such as Gucci, Armani and Prada.

About 700 jobs could be created by the £50m designer outlet village, and plans for the 250,000 sq ft complex feature 90 stores selling goods from top international brands, as well as restaurants and cafes.

At a special meeting of Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee on Thursday night, members voted with a large majority in favour of the development – which is now to be called in by Brandon Lewis MP, Secretary of State for Housing and Planning.

Mr Lewis will consider if the application needs to be determined by him or if the council can make the decision.

Ward member Councillor Jill McMullon said she was excited to see such a scheme come to Richmondshire and felt the district had lost out to shoppers travelling to Darlington and Teesside for a long time.

“It will be an amazing opportunity to boost the whole economy,” she said.

“It will provide jobs we desperately need, and far from damaging the local market towns I think it will bring tourism shoppers to the area. With the promise of a tourist information centre on the site, this will encourage people to explore nearby towns and the rest of the Dales.”

Simon Waterfield, from Scotch Corner LLP, said it would be the single largest employment-generating proposal in the district for the foreseeable future.

“We want to sign post other nearby attractions to visitors so extra tourism spending power can be maximised,” he added.

Leader of the council Cllr John Blackie said while he understood concerns of Darlington, Northallerton and Teesside, he felt the gains outweighed the losses.

“Darlington has the strongest possible objection, but there will be many people from the town and surrounding area that will benefit from employment if it should go ahead," he said.

“There are also a number of leisure opportunities being built in Darlington which can only bring positives to the town.”

Councillors agreed that the type of stores on offer would not compete with local market towns.

Cllr Mick Griffiths said he often travelled to Wakefield, York and North Shields to similar outlets for brands he likes, and Cllr Stuart Parsons said Darlington and Teesside had never consulted the council on out of town planning developments that attracted residents out of Richmondshire.

Concerns were raised about possible flood risks in nearby villages, which were noted to be discussed with the Environment Agency.