MIDDLESBROUGH Football Club's plans for Europe's longest, multi-million pound golf course are almost certain to be approved, it was announced yesterday.

The complex will include an 18-hole course, 63-bedroom hotel, and 24 private apartments. There would also be conference halls, three restaurants, Turkish baths, and a luxury spa.

A planning application has been lodged with Darlington Borough Council. Its report, published yesterday, recommends planning permission be granted.

The planning committee is expected to rubber-stamp the decision on Tuesday. If so, the course is likely to open in Hurworth Place, near Darlington, in 2008.

The 7,785-yard golf course, which would be the longest in Europe, will be built on agricultural land. It will include a non-floodlit driving and chipping range, lakes, a club house, maintenance buildings, and areas of wetland habitat.

A council spokesman said: "The change of use would alter the visual appearance of the landscape, but it has been designed to ensure the proposal would not have an adverse impact.

"Also, it would be possible to reverse the land back to agriculture."

Of the hotel's 63 bedrooms, 45 will be in Rockliffe Hall, a grade II-listed building. It is currently derelict, and will be extended.

"A hotel use in this location is appropriate, and such a use has been formerly approved for this site," the council spokesman said.

"It is important that a listed building is retained, and, in this instance, restored to its former glory."

The hotel will also have two lodges and 18 self-catering apartments. In addition, 18 semi-detached and six detached homes will be built.