PLANS for a multi-million pound town centre supermarket have been submitted.

German retailer, Aldi, announced plans to develop the former bus station site in Stanley earlier this year.

The former Co-op site, which was knocked down following a firebomb attack in 2008, will be used for additional car parking.

Durham County Council is expected to make a decision on the plan, which will create up to 35 jobs, in February or March this year.

Stanley Town Council chairman Joan Nicholson said: “It will be a boost for the economic development in the town.

“It is going to create jobs and that is what we want for Stanley. The trend seems to be that Aldi and Iceland are on the up.

“If people are coming to Aldi then I would hope they will also go around the town as well.”

Stanley Town Council is expected to discuss the scheme in the New Year and will make recommendations to the county council after its meeting.

As part of the consultation Steven Drabik, Police Architectural Liaison Officer with Durham Constabulary, said: “The crime risk assessment for this proposal is moderate, the main concerning being nuisance and anti-social behaviour, we invite the developers to contact us directly to discuss in detail the security measures they intend to include.

“We suggest glazed areas should be protected with shutters overnight and raised levels included in the car parks to deter joy riders/boy racers congregating out of hours.”

If approved, the firm hopes to open its doors in summer 2018.

In a report as part of the application, the company said: “Aldi has received excellent local support for the proposed development with 99 per cent of feedback supportive of the plans.

“Respondents noted that a discount food retailer would benefit Stanley, provide competition, regenerate a previously used side and reduce the need for people to travel out of the area to complete their food shopping.”

Last year, Tesco confirmed it had shelved plans to open a 250-job store in nearby Clifford Road.

Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, said: “The news is especially welcome following the recent withdrawal of other developments plans in Stanley.

“It will bring much needed jobs and trade to Stanley along with redeveloping the former bus station site which as remain unused for a number of years.”