THE go-ahead for Darlington's £45m shopping complex was given by councillors last night.

The development by St Martins Property Group will see hundreds of jobs created and more big name retailers attracted to the town.

But the scope of the development means the plans will have to be ratified by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

If he gives his approval developers say the complex will include:

* An 85,000sq ft flagship department store;

* 25 smaller stores;

* A 26,000sq ft leisure centre;

* A cinema

* An 800 space multi-storey car park.

St Martins has been negotiating with department store chain Debenhams over occupancy of the 85,000sq ft unit.

Although the group has yet to commit to the scheme, officials are understood to be confident they can attract Britain's largest department store chain to the town.

If successful the plans will also see the expansion of the Queen Street Arcade.

The 25 shops and leisure centre, which could contain a cinema, health and fitness centre and pubs, would be to the south of St Augustine's Way.

An 800 space multi-storey car park is planned for the north side of the ring road.

The car park would be connected to the rest of the development by a bridge.

Business leaders in the town have welcomed Darlington Borough Council's decision to approve the plans in principle.

Louise Payne, Darlington town centre manager, said: "This development would be a huge boost to the town centre.

"It will compliment what we have already got on offer in the town and make the town centre even more attractive to shoppers and visitors. It will boost footfall throughout the town.

"At the moment, Darlington town centre hasn't got the size of unit needed to attract some of the big national players. This development would allow those types of retailers into the town."

Councillor John Williams, leader of the council and chairman of Darlington Town Centre Forum, said: "I am very pleased with the vote. This is important for the future of the town."

There was a lot of objection to the development, however, particularly from people living in North Lodge Terrace, which is the nearest residential area to the proposed ten-level multi-storey car park, to be built on the existing 120-space Kendrew Street car park.

Yvonne Richards, of the Friends of North Lodge Park, expressed concerns at the meeting about noise and exhaust pollution from increased traffic, and the fact the multi-storey car park will partially be built in the conservation area.

However, officers told her that research showed the increase in pollution would be negligible and that the car park could be built so it was not as obtrusive as residents might fear.

Fisher Carpets was also represented at the meeting, and although the family firm said it did not oppose the plans in principle, it did fear the development would see its premises in Commercial Street becoming a "dark back-water."

Chris Francis, representing St Martins Property Group, said at the meeting that if the plans were passed, the company would work closely with the council to try to handle changes in the town sensitively.

Planning officers also said that they hoped objections from the Inland Revenue to the demolition of Regent House could be resolved because St Martins also owned that building.

The Lounge pub and nightclub would also be knocked down to make way for the development.

Members of the planning committee heard that without the development Darlington town centre would lose out to other retail centres in the region.

Planning officer Richard Alty said: "Research shows trade in Darlington is being lost to other shopping centres.

"The way to sustain the town centre is a development of large shop units which don't exist elsewhere at the moment, for retailers who can't find space in Darlington at the moment, but would like to be here."

His views were echoed by Coun Williams, who said: "If forward-thinking, prestige schemes like this are not approved in Darlington, it will slip down the economic league table, which will not just impact on future developments, but existing ones like Queen Street, the Cornmill and High Row, as well."

If the application is passed by Mr Prescott the company will then have to submit a detailed planning application to Darlington council, before it is approved.