A FORMER petrol station which councillors refused permission to be converted into a mini-supermarket has been put on the market.

The derelict Shell garage in North Road, Darlington, is available for mixed-use development for £500,000.

Chartered surveyors Storeys has put the garage, which closed in February last year, on the market for London-based property company Refined Estates Limited.

The company specialises in former petrol stations.

Bill Lynn, national head of agency at Storeys, said: "The planners would suggest a mixed-used scheme with residential use and perhaps retail. Purely retail is not entirely out of the question.

"I think a mixed-use scheme would be the most suitable. It is a very good site."

He added that the firm had already been deluged with offers since it was put on the market.

A planning application to demolish the garage and build a new mini-supermarket was rejected last month because of its design, impact on houses and it was a retail development in an out-of-town location.

Residents and businesses in the area expressed their concerns about the plans for a supermarket, which did not name a chain.

But people want the site to be brought back into use because it attracted vandals, arsonists and anti-social behaviour.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said the site had no specific designation and any planning application would be invited.

Opinions expressed on a community website, set up by campaigner Mark Burton to give people in Harrowgate Hill a forum to discuss local issues, have been divided.

Mr Burton said: "There are two different factions. People in North Road, including those from shops, don't want a shop.

"In other areas, neighbours were happy to have a store or mini-market."

Local residents were concerned that flats would overlook their property. There have also been worries about the impact on traffic.

Other suggestions have included a pub, re-opening of a petrol station or a community centre.

Several local youngsters who were questioned about facilities in the area said they would like to see a youth club on the site.

Their suggestions included a tuck shop, football table, table tennis, gym, internet access and other facilities.