WORK on a cattle market’s long awaited move out of Darlington town centre is expected to begin within weeks.

Last month, a deal was agreed that will see Darlington Farmers Auctions Market (DFAM) move to a new site off the A68 at Humbleton Farm, at Burtree Gate, near Heighington.

The Northern Echo:

VISION: An artist impression showing the inside of Darlington's new Cattle Market Picture: Blake Hopkinson Architecture and Design’

In return, the council will buy 55 acres of land, most of which is owned by DFAM, opposite The Northern Echo Arena, on Neasham Road, to build hundreds of new homes.

Bosses at the auction mart have now revealed work is due to start next month, and once completed, they anticipate sales will rise by as much as 15 per cent.

They are also looking at employing five new staff members to work at the site, which will include space for 1,000 cattle and 3,000 sheep.

Eleven business units will also be available for hire, and the building will include a restaurant for visitors and staff.

A new roundabout will be constructed off the A68 to create access to the site, and bosses are currently seeking approval to build a business park next door to provide a dedicated hub for agricultural businesses.

DFAM have agreed a seven-figure funding package with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking to help fund the move.

The new 6,000 sq m facility is expected to vastly increase accessibility for agricultural vehicles, which previously had to enter Darlington town centre to load and unload goods, adding a significant amount of time to their journey.

DFAM is one of the UK’s largest dedicated agricultural auction markets and currently hosts more than 300 visitors a week and handles more than £46m in sales every year.

Richard Heseltine, finance director at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart, said: “Our move out of Darlington has been five years in the making and there’s local excitement that it’s finally happening.

“As the town has expanded and livestock wagons have grown larger, our original premises have become increasingly difficult to access.”

Cllr Chris McEwan, deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council and cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “It’s good to see more details of DFAM’s plans for the new mart site.

“I am optimistic that the site can develop further with other agricultural businesses benefitting from the location.”

The 140-year-old mart has been the subject of repeated failed relocation attempts over several decades, with plans to move the mart to Humbleton Farm first announced in 2006, and the deal will also free up land for the Bank Top Station upgrade.