THE future of Darlington's historic High Row will go a long way towards being decided today, as councillors prepare to vote on proposals for dramatic change.

The borough council's planning committee gathers for what could be a heated meeting on the contentious issue in the town hall at 1.30pm today.

Under the spotlight will be four planning applications that could change the face of the town centre.

The council's plans would see the Victorian steps, railings and balustrades - much cherished by heritage campaigners - removed.

A level pedestrian area outside the shops would be created and features including floral arrangements, benches and lampposts installed.

Listed building consent for the temporary dismantling of the Joseph Pease statue - unveiled in 1875 - is also being sought.

A separate application is seeking permission for the statue to be moved five metres from its present position.

Councillors are being recommended to advise the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that the authority has no objection to the demolition work or the temporary dismantling of the statue.

Officers are also recommending that permission be granted for the new work to begin.

The proposals have divided opinion across the town, with supporters adamant that they will be a positive feature of the council's £6.5m "pedestrian heart" scheme.

Opponents fear the plans would strip away part of the area's rich heritage, leaving Darlington no different to countless town centres.

Darlington Civic Trust will make representations to the committee, with members planning to show a DVD.

Vice-chairman Clive Owen said yesterday: "We have a DVD and everything we want to say is contained in the voice-over to that pictorial.

"The committee chairman has very kindly agreed to let us show it, so that will be the centrepiece of our representations."

The trust recently challenged the council to answer questions about the planned developments in its Town Crier magazine.

Members wanted to know why it was not possible to consider the existing features in the new plan and whether it was practical to keep those features.

The authority did not respond in the magazine, but council leader John Williams has previously insisted that the vast majority of Darlington residents support the scheme.

The council's cabinet yesterday agreed to release more than £3m to complete the second phase of the pedestrian heart scheme.

Council leader John Williams said the release of the money - £3,157,000 - would not prejudice any decision made by the planning committee.