PLANS for a new retail park near Durham City have been given the green light by councillors.

Earlier this year, Angel Developments revealed plans to redevelop the former Kerry Foods site in Dragonville, which closed in 2012.

Under outline proposals, the newly-named St Andrews Park site will be transformed into 5,398 sqm of retail space with three units.

The units – between Dragon Lane and McIntyre Way – are earmarked for ‘bulky goods’ retailers such as DIY, furniture and flooring alongside a 234-space car park.

There is a separate planning application to add a McDonald’s drive-thru nearby.

On Tuesday, Durham County Council’s central and east planning committee backed the retail park plans.

It is hoped the development will provide an economic boost in terms of jobs and increased footfall.

The decision is subject to a section 106 agreement being signed under which the developer will pay £137,500 towards a relief road between Rennys Lane and the A181 via Damson Way to ease congestion.

Coun David Freeman, while supporting the application, raised concerns about the progress of the relief road and the uncertainty around businesses lined up for the park.

He said: “We’re approving the developments before we’re building the much-needed road and that’s going to have a large shortfall. You might end up with some nice new units but no end users occupying them which has to be a concern.

“But I do support the application as it will improve the area.”

Details around appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the development will be approved by the council at a later date.

Lidl and The Range stores are already being built on a site opposite Tesco Extra.