COUNCILLORS have backed two new major retail developments that could bring around 250 jobs to Darlington.

Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee granted outline planning permission for the two sites – one in West Park and one in Faverdale – at a special meeting today (Wednesday, June 17), with a condition that a percentage of the jobs created went to nearby residents.

Lateral Property Group has applied to transform the derelict former SCA Packaging site, in Faverdale, by creating a 4,225sq metre supermarket with a petrol station, landscaped garden area and parking for 300 cars, creating around 130 new jobs.

The business has developed 34 food stores across the country over the last four years, and regularly works with the big four supermarkets.

Following extensive consultation with nearby residents, the proposal attracted 12 letters of objection – including one from Morrisons supermarket - and 241 letters of support.

Chris Newsome, development director, told the meeting, said: “This level of support is unprecedented and tremendous. The communities want to see this development come forward.

“This decision will help breathe new life into a derelict brownfield site that has lain empty for many years. We can now help to unlock its economic potential, create new jobs and generate additional investment for Darlington.”

Faverdale Road resident, Rona Ford, said the eyesore site has been empty for around nine years, and has subsequently attracted antisocial behaviour and illegal fly-tipping.

“The proposal put forward by the developers will clean up this site and make it attractive,” she said.

Meanwhile, local developers, Bussey and Armstrong, have applied to build a 2,370sq metre supermarket off John Fowler Way, with a health centre, community facility, office space and car park, creating around 120 jobs.

The development will form part of the West Park Garden Village, which could see 1,200 new houses built over the next ten years. It attracted one letter of support and two letters of objection, including one from Morrisons supermarket.

Director, Tony Cooper, said his company are in discussions with Aldi, who are proposing the site as their flagship store.

“The intention from our point of view is to deliver what we have shown. It is not about making money and then leaving the town – we are in it for the long term,” he added.

Concerns were raised by councillors about the possible increase in traffic to the area, where roads are already gridlocked during peak times.

They were told that while improvements would be made to ease congestion, a study found that a lot of traffic came from West Park and Faverdale residents travelling across to do their shopping and the developments would mitigate it.