A CONSERVATION trust has launched a campaign opposing multi-million pound proposals to replace Victorian buildings in a north Durham town centre with a shopping mall.

The Osborne Conservation Trust, in Annfield Plain, has started a petition to block plans that could result in half of the south side of Front Street, in Stanley, being demolished.

Derwentside District Council is in talks with a property developer about the £29m scheme and a planning application could be submitted by the end of the summer.

The trust's founder and director, Kenneth Osborne-Grant, is urging traders and residents of Stanley, who have not yet been consulted, to support it in lobbying the council.

It wants the authority to suspend talks in case a new Stanley Town Council is formed, so it can comment on the plan.

Mr Osborne-Grant said: "Copies of the petition have been distributed to many main shop premises in Front Street. Please stop and consider supporting this trust by signing.

"The trust is now consulting English Heritage with a view of extending its list of listed buildings in Stanley.

"Application has also been made by this trust, which is a non-political and non-sectarian organisation seeking to enhance the quality of life and to protect the environment, to the county and district councils for Stanley town centre to be granted conservation area status, similar to that recently granted to Annfield Plain and Catchgate."

Discussions with Manchester-based Modus Properties include the creation of a shopping mall on the site and the possibility of Asda moving from its current location at the top of Front Street.

Up to 20 companies could be issued with compulsory purchase orders.

Councillor Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside District Council, said an extensive public consultation exercise would begin when a planning application was submitted.

He said: "Nothing will happen for at least a year, so the trust has plenty of time to get its application in.

"The scheme is still making progress and has not gone belly-up. We are optimistic it will come to fruition.

"But we cannot and would not delay a scheme that would see £29m investment in Stanley town centre."