THE way has been cleared to allow a second major store in Darlington's new £45m Commercial Street shopping mall.

The amended outline plans submitted to Darlington planning committee on Wednesday will allow St Martin's Property investments to acquire more land in Commercial Street and Union Street and to drop a leisure scheme in the original plans in favour of a second big store.

But the former church, now home to Fisher Carpets and Curtains, would have to be demolished along with the Inland Revenue's Regent House and The Lounge bar and nightclub.

Planning officer Adrian Miller said: "The development, as currently envisaged, will only be able to progress if agreement is reached with the owners of these properties for their demolition. Alternative arrangements for accommodating them elsewhere would then need to be made."

He said the old caretaker's house in Union Street was vacant and semi-derelict, but the former church was of historic interest and had an identifiable spire, which was a landmark feature. But because it was not in a conservation area, the council had no control over its demolition.

"Officers consider that the loss of this building would be outweighed by the wider benefits of a large-scale retail development such as this would bring to the economy of Darlington and the wider area."

A full archaeological assessment before demolition is one of the conditions attached to the Union Street properties.

Mr Miller said the businesses which would have to move would either negotiate with developers or be paid compensation for compulsory purchase.

Council leader John Williams said the amendment made the plans more complete and would provide "a grand, new, state of the art shopping centre".

The Secretary of State for the Environment will have the final say in whether the altered scheme can go ahead.