A NEW mini-supermarket could be built at an empty filling station in a Weardale village if plans are approved this week.

Leathleys Quality Fare Ltd hopes to create a new shop on the site of the former A68 Services on High Street, Tow Law.

The store and 32 car parking spaces would replace the run-down petrol station and workshop.

If given the go ahead the firm, which is based in Catterick Garrison, expects to create the equivalent of 12 new full-time jobs at the store.

Philip Horsfield, commercial manager, said: "This would be Leathley's 20th supermarket.

"We have outlets all over the North-East, specialising in supplying rural areas, but this would be one of the most remote.

"We'd stock fresh food, newspapers and if granted permission the store could be a National Lottery outlet and possibly sell hot food."

Residents have raised concerns about the development, mainly about the impact on road safety combined with a nearby bus stop, school crossing and the main access road to an auction mart.

Neighbours are also worried about noise from patrons and deliveries and are afraid that youths would congregate outside.

However, Durham County Council's highways department has no objections to the proposals, though has suggested slight changes to the access routes. It says the anti-social behaviour of youths is a police matter.

Planning officers at Wear Valley District Council have recommended that members of the development control committee, which meets at Crook Civic Centre this Thursday evening, approve the application.

They feel the 6,500 sq ft store would not be overly prominent and will improve the look of the existing garage which has fallen into a state of disrepair.

The application site lies within the development limits of Tow Law and has been set aside for retail in the Wear Valley District Local Plan.

Officers have said that the planning permission should be subject to conditions including the choice of building materials, maintenance of the car park, details of signage the colour of external fittings and the protection of water courses.