UPDATED plans for a designer outlet at Scotch Corner have been approved – but initial plans are still to be subject to a public inquiry next year.

Richmondshire District Council planning committee met on Tuesday (December 1) to discuss the amended proposals from Scotch Corner Richmond LLP, owners of the site who intend to develop a designer outlet centre.

The new proposals were presented by Simon Waterfield from Scotch Corner Richmond LLP, who explained that in drawing up plans for a second scheme they had been able to address some concerns from objectors.

He said the scheme had been made “significantly smaller”, allowing for design improvements as well as to “further reduce the scheme’s retail impact on surrounding centres.”

He added: “We are also proposing at the outset specific conditions to ensure it operates as a designer outlet village and as no other type of more conventional retailing.

“And we have been able to propose an enhanced package of public transport measures – improving the overall sustainability credentials.”

Planning officer Peter Featherstone said the council had employed independent town planners England and Lyle to give an assessment of the impact on other towns.

He said: “England and Lyle found there would be no serious impact on other centres – and the plans do comply with national planning policy.

“It has a high quality design and I believe it is a sustainable form of development.”

Cllr Tony Duff had concerns about the viability of the project.

He said: “I have my doubts – what worries me is there would be a certain amount of uptake but then it won’t happen, stores will drop out and we will be left with a nasty site on our hands.”

Cllr Jimmy Wilson-Petch said he thought it was a great scheme.

“It fits in with our economic development plan. We do have to consider the impact on other town centres but I understand the impact will be very low on neighbouring towns.”

Mr Featherstone confirmed the independent planning consultants found there would be a 2.6 per cent reduction in footfall to Darlington which he said was not significant.

Cllr Patricia Middlemiss added that with the population of Catterick Garrison due to swell with extra military personnel and their families in the near future, this would be a welcome development.

Alex Hirst, manager of Distinct Darlington, said: “Given the close proximity of this development to Darlington town centre, this would undoubtedly divert footfall away from Darlington town centre.

“Outside of Darlington, a large number of our town centre visitors come from the North Yorkshire area. If this development were to be built in the Scotch Corner location it would have a negative impact on trade in Darlington and we are trying to do everything we can to protect our town centre.”