PLANS that could transform part of a North-East town have been submitted.

Developers Helioscity are hoping to build new shop units, 85 flats and a car park in Bishop Auckland, with work starting as soon as this summer.

Major retailers are being lined up for the multi-million pound project in North Bondgate, part of Wear Valley District Council's urban renaissance programme to improve the town centre.

A planning application has now been submitted by the developers for 79 two-bedroom apartments and six one-bedroom apartments, to be managed by Gentoo - increased from 60 which were proposed originally.

The application also includes commercial space, consisting of five units ranging from just under 10,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet.

There will be up to 350 car parking spaces, with 85 dedicated for the residential occupiers and the remainder as parking for the retail area.

David Salkeld, development director for Helioscity, said: "This is in a prime location on North Bondgate with fantastic views north across the Wear, highly accessible for public transport.

"The scheme has been through a thorough design strategy to deliver a scheme that complies with the local planning allocation and the Bishop Auckland renaissance plan, to regenerate this part of the historic town with a vibrant development sympathetic to the past yet very much part of the town's future."

He said that the design aims to reintroduce the street scene on North Bondgate and address the vistas from Newton Cap bridge.

He added: "We are currently finalising detailed design to deal with the escarpment on the site edge and are ready to start the marketing of the site in earnest after the lull of the holiday season.

"We anticipate being able to make a start on site towards the end of summer."

Other areas included by consultants Red Box in the renaissance programme include Theatre Corner, where there will be a bronze statue of Stan Laurel, Market Place and Fore Bondgate.

The North Bondgate scheme will now go before the council's development control committee in the coming weeks.

Bob Hope, the council's director of regeneration, said: "It's a positive sign that a development is moving forward and we hope to be able to decide on an application as soon as possible."

If approved, the development is expected to be completed by autumn 2009.