A DISUSED coalyard in Hartlepool may soon be given a new lease of life which it is hoped will attract hundreds of jobs to the town.

Hartlepool Borough Council has received an outline planning application from Dransfield Properties of South Yorkshire, which wants to transform a 7.3-hectare brownfield site in the town into a retail development.

The proposed site is bounded by Marina Way, Greenland Road and Middleton Road.

It is just a stone's throw away from the Asda supermarket, Anchor Retail Park and Jacksons Landing development.

The supermarket chain Wm Morrisons has also lodged an outline planning application for permission to build a store nearby.

The land has been unused for many years, but in the past, part of it was used as a coalyard. The site is now derelict and it is hoped that the plans would see it transformed into an attractive and thriving retail outlet.

The plans are aimed at attracting non-food retailers to the site and, if successful, the development would provide up to 165,000sq ft of retail space.

It is hoped the scheme will also create more than 100 jobs, both part-time and full-time, and if given the go-ahead it would represent a £20m investment in the area.

Philip Wilson, director of Dransfield Properties, said: "If our plans are approved this would not only see a run-down site given a new lease of life but also strengthen the retail base in Hartlepool.

"We are looking to attract bulky goods operators to the area, providing outlets which we feel would be welcomed by the shoppers of Hartlepool.

"We feel the site would be an ideal location to bring forward a retail scheme which would enhance the provision of new facilities.

"It is an ideal site for regeneration as it has been quite run-down for some time.

"It is an ideal site for investment."

Members of the council's planning and licensing panel will discuss the plans at a meeting later this year