PROPOSALS to redevelop the heart of Chester-le-Street are expected to go ahead after two years of delays.

Council chiefs expect to see work on a £12m facelift, which will include a Tesco store under the town centre's railway viaduct, begin in the summer.

The scheme would involve the building of tree-lined walkways and parking for 303 cars, as well as the 35,000sq ft supermarket.

In late 1997, a consortium including Tesco was chosen to develop the Burns area of the town, but a deal between the developers and Chester-le-Street District Council was held up for 18 months by technical and legal matters.

Last summer, a deal was agreed, but that was deemed to be contrary to the district plan.

A new plan is expected to be approved at a council meeting on Monday, January 8.

Council leader Councillor Malcolm Pratt said: "It's the way forward for regenerating retailing in the town centre."

However, despite planners' assurances that the development will be "sympathetic" to the town's Grade II listed railway viaduct, English Heritage has criticised the plans, saying: "The proposed supermarket is no more than a thinly disguised industrial portal frame building."