PLANS for a £45m shopping development, first revealed in The Northern Echo last month, have now been submitted to council chiefs.

St Martin's Property Investments is seeking formal approval from Darlington Borough Council for a project which would transform the 1960s Queen Street Arcade.

The blueprint includes an extension to the centre, with roof-top parking and a separate multi-storey car park.

A major department store is being lined up to anchor the development, while several other firms are said to be interested in taking up units.

If the application is given the go-ahead by councillors, work could be completed within two years.