A CONTROVERSIAL three-year battle to build a new Aldi superstore on a disused hospital site is expected to reach a conclusion this week.

The German-owned food chain has faced numerous objections from people in Middlesbrough who believe the old North Riding Infirmary site should be preserved.

But the firm's latest planning application has been earmarked for acceptance by council planning officers.

The proposed scheme, that goes before Middlesbrough Council's planning committee on Friday, is to create a supermarket, a second retail unit and a hotel. Two previous applications for an Aldi superstore were thrown out by councillors.

A report to the committee states: "A major change to the proposals by Aldi has been introduced as part of the current application - the addition of the proposed hotel, with its 53-bedroom accommodation.

"This proposed hotel would be operated as part of the Travelodge chain of budget hotels and would have a 24-hour management and security presence on the site."

Despite repeated attempts, campaigners have failed to get the infirmary placed on the Listed Buildings Register, and planning officers have been informed by the property's owners that they intend to start demolition work in the near future.

The council has received 17 new objections to the proposal, and it expects to receive another petition with thousands of signatures.

The officers are recommending 20 conditions should be attached to planning consent. One requires the salvage, restoration, re-use and display of an architectural feature of the existing building on the site.