DEVELOPERS behind a new retail park in Darlington have confirmed they are investing £10million in the project and creating 150 new jobs.

Darlington Council’s planning committee approved the Albert Road development last week after hearing that the North Road area of town was under-served by discount food shops.

Retailers already confirmed for the new four-acre park are Aldi, Iceland and KFC.

West Yorkshire-based developers Opus North are behind the development and expect to have the site open by the spring of 2016.

Neil Creeney, associate director of Opus North, said: “We are absolutely delighted that planners have given the go-ahead to Darlington North Retail Park.

“This is a very exciting development for the town of Darlington, creating jobs and boosting the economy.

“It will add to the retail strength of the northern part of the town”.

The park comprises eight units featuring a new 16,480 sq ft Aldi supermarket; a KFC drive through restaurant; an Iceland Foods store; two units ideal for cafe or sandwich shops, and another three units intended for non-food retailers.

The units offer modern retail warehouse accommodation and there will be 157 free car parking spaces at the park.

Mr Creeney said: “We have had excellent feedback from local residents and businesses and we were grateful to know they were positive about our proposals, as were the planners. “The retail park will bring a range of retailers not currently located in this part of town, improving choice and convenience for local shoppers.

“The development site is prominently situated on the new junction on the A167, which is the main arterial route north from Darlington town centre.”

Retailers already in this district centre location include Morrisons, B&Q and B&M Bargains, alongside other established trade counter uses.

When the new development was approved last week, some concerns were raised about the new retail park drawing custom away from the existing town centre.

Town centre trader and campaigner Beryl Hankin pleaded with councillors to reject the development, saying it would be 'another nail in the coffin' for struggling town centre businesses.

However, there has been some positive reaction to the scheme from Northern Echo readers who have left comments online welcoming the retail park for meeting a need in that part of town.