DARLINGTON councillors have objected to a proposed designer complex at Scotch Corner, fearing it would damage town centre trade.

The council’s planning committee was asked its views on the development by Richmondshire District Council which is holding a public consultation and will make the decision over whether to approve the development or not.

However, Darlington committee members questioned why no town centre traders attended today’s meeting (Wednesday, October 22) on the proposals which they said could have a ‘huge impact’ on the town centre.

Committee chairman, Cllr Paul Baldwin said: “I am absolutely gobsmacked that the town centre people aren’t here.

“I am really gobsmacked that they are not on the ball and it is left to this committee now to do something to protect the town centre, with no-one from the town centre here.”

The complex, about 13-miles south of Darlington, would boast around 90 stores plus restaurants and cafes and would create over 700 jobs.

High end brands such as Prada, Gucci and Armani are among the names the developer wants to attract, but Darlington Council’s planning committee members believe it would take trade away from the town.

They also expressed concern that fashion shops already in Darlington town centre could be tempted to move to the new complex and that it would also appeal to brands that currently do not have a presence in Darlington but may have in the future.

Planning officer Dave Coates added that the methodology used in the developer’s assessment of the impact on Darlington town centre trade was “flawed” and had underestimated the damaging effects highlighted in an independent report commissioned by the council.

The committee voted to object to the development and Cllr Baldwin suggested that the council’s chief executive should write to Darlington’s town centre businesses to make sure they had the chance to have their say on them.