COUNCIL officers are recommending a planning application for a large edge-of-town DIY store and garden centre should be rejected.

Planners say the 36,000-sq-ft Focus DIY store proposed for the Walkerville Industrial Estate, in Colburn, would damage nearby Catterick Garrison and Richmond town centres.

Richmonshire District Council's head of development control Peter Featherstone said in a report to councillors: "It is accepted that there is a quantitative need within Richmondshire for a DIY store and garden facility of the type that is proposed.

"The proposal would also bring some benefits to both local employment opportunities and to the appearance of this particular site.

"It is concluded, however, that these potential benefits are outweighed by a number of significant disadvantages."

Mr Featherstone said the development was too big for a site where a range of shops and leisure facilities were envisaged.

He continued: "The development of a store of this size at Walkerville would be likely to undermine the vitality and viability of Catterick and Richmond town centres, and would prejudice the delivery of proposals for town centre regeneration and renaissance at Catterick in particular."

It is estimated the store, which would be built next to the existing Lidl supermarket, would create between 20 and 25 jobs.

Written support for the plan has come from two local residents and Colburn Community Partnership.

The partnership said: "The area at present is an eyesore and the partnership has been more than patient awaiting development of this area."

The application will be discussed at a council meeting on Tuesday at Swale House, Richmond.