A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to transform a former industrial plant is expected to be unveiled after an initial plan was rejected.

Commercial Development Projects is in the process of drawing up plans for a mixed-use scheme on the redundant Torrington plant.

The site, in Yarm Road, Darlington, has lain vacant since March 2003, when the plant, which made roller bearing for use in mining and construction, was closed.

A £60m plan to create 500 jobs at a 260,000sq ft retail park was submitted by Commercial Development Projects in November 2005.

Councillors rejected the plans for outline permission, which included a 100,000sq ft store, four smaller units, a garden centre, builder's yard and two drive-in takeaways, two months later.

However, bulldozers have been working on the site recently.

James Marshall, Commercial Development Projects' planner, said the work was being carried out in preparation for a fresh planning application to be submitted.

He said it would be a mixed-use development, including industrial units, hotel, offices and possibly a garage.

The firm is currently discussing its proposals with council planners to improve the bid.

Mr Marshall said: "It should be very good. We don't know what planners want to see so we are still talking about the plans with them.

"We are quite hopeful about our bid, but we don't know what planners want."

He added the final plans would depend on the discussions.

The closure of the Torrington plant, opposite the Cummins factory, came only a month after international steel company Timken took over the company.

More than 100 jobs were lost.

Timken said the closure was part of its overall strategy. Production was moved to Romania.

Councillor Ian Haszeldine, who represents the area, said he could not comment firmly on the proposals until he saw the plans.

But he welcomed the news the site could be redeveloped. He hoped it could include some leisure facilities, including a bowling alley and cinema.

"It is a piece of industrial land we need to bring back into use,"

he said.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman confirmed planners were in preliminary talks with the firm about the use of the site.