Job-creating plans for retail development unveiled

Plans for a jobs-creating £14m retail development in Durham – at the site of a underused transport depot – have been unveiled.Developer Premcor Estates hopes to re-develop the Elddis Transport site, off Pit Lane, near the Arnison Centre at Pity Me.About 100 new jobs would be created if the proposals for three new retail outlets, including a new discount foodstore, and two drive-thru restaurant/coffee shops are approved.Premcor has appointed planning and development consultancy Lichfields to handle the planning application and it will be holding a public exhibition this week.The site is no longer suitable for the requirements of Consett-based Elddis Transport, which has six other locations in the region and employs more than 320 people.While the site is also home to a small number of other businesses, employing aabout 20 to 25 people, they are all expected to find alternative accommodation in the local area.Gregg said the existing warehousing to the rear of the site is not sustainable and is unlikely to attract interest from other potential occupiers, due to its low eaves.The developer is proposing an improvement to the access for pedestrians and vehicles, with aapproximately 270 parking spaces and additional landscaping.The public consultation is being held on 16 July at Newton Hall Community Centre.