New pictures of progress on Darlington Faverdale retail site

Construction started on the site on Faverdale Industrial Estate last March when heavy machinery and construction crews moved on.

New pictures show a McDonald's sign has been put up, with two buildings completed. It is not yet known when the site, which is also set to include a Costa Coffee, will open.

Once completed, the development will have three drive-thru units, eight shops and an industrial unit.

Last month, a drive-thru sign for McDonald's was put up, which would make it the fast food chain's third restaurant in Darlington.

A McDonald's sign was put up last month (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

It was meant to open in December 2025 but unspecified delays have meant works are still ongoing.

McDonald's bosses now say its new restaurant will open in early 2026 - however, no specific date has been confirmed.

A spokesperson previously said: "We can confirm the restaurant is scheduled to open in early 2026."

The latest progress pictures come more than two-and-a-half years after the development was originally proposed.

The retail park will be home to a McDonald's, Costa Coffee and Taco Bell (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Darlington Borough Council's planning committee initially deferred its decision in July 2023 over fears the development could lead to business closures and job losses elsewhere.

However, the plans were green-lit a month later.

Once the retail site is completed, it will join the likes of Lidl, Starbucks, and Home Bargains.