A NEW supermarket could be a catalyst for the regeneration of an entire town centre, councillors heard.

Discount retailer Aldi has been granted planning permission to open a multi-million pound store in Stanley.

The 30-job food-store will be built on the site of the town’s former bus station, now used as a car park, with extra car parking for the store to be located on the site of the former Co-op, which has lain derelict since an arson attack in 2008.

Members of Durham County Council’s area planning committee unanimously approved the plan when they met at County Hall, paving the way for the new store to open in the summer

Aldi said they had been overwhelmed by the town’s reaction to the plans during the consultation process.

Property director Simon Plumb told councillors: “The level of interest has surpassed anything that Aldi has seen in any other location.

“We are absolutely overwhelmed to see 464 responses, with 99 per cent of them positive.”

Committee chairman Cllr Carl Marshall, who represents the town, said: “For years, we have been working to try to champion the development of the town.

He added: “Since the Co-op burned down, this part of the town has been desperate for someone to come in and tidy it up.

“I welcome the jobs it will bring and hopefully this development will act as a catalyst for bigger and better things to come to the town.”

Cllr Ivan Jewell added: “It is soul-destroying to go to Stanley now.

“This is something which will hopefully make a start in making Stanley a vibrant place again and I hope it will encourage further development.

“It is a win-win situation, it’s good for the people of Stanley and it’s good for businesses”.

Concerns were expressed that the development would lead to a net loss of around 60 car parking spaces in the town centre.

Mr Plumb indicated that the store’s 79-bay car parks would likely operate with a 90-minute limit, which would create a regular turnover of vehicles while leaving sufficient time for customers to complete their shop in the five-aisle store and also visit other businesses in the town using a pedestrian link to Front Street.

Committee member Cllr Owen Temple added: “This store, located where it is and with the extra footfall it will bring in, will potentially be an enormous help to existing businesses in Stanley.”