Taco Bell and McDonalds Set for Darlington Industrial Estate

Darlington could soon be home to a new Taco Bell, McDonalds and Costa Coffee, if plans are backed at a meeting this week.Almscliffe Properties (Darlington) wants to bring forward six new units on a 7.7-acre site at Faverdale Industrial Estate, which is opposite a recently established Lidl store.Under the plans, the existing buildings on site would be demolished to make way for the units, which will also be occupied by a Bulky Comparison Goods and a vets and tanning salon in units 3.Final occupier agreements are yet to be agreed for the remaining units 4a and 4b, however the applicant has advised that retailers such as Wickes and Jysk could take up the spaces.An eight-bay EV charging station is included in the application, alongside 314 parking spaces.The scheme has undergone a number of changes since first being submitted, and originally included a Tesco food store and a petrol filling station. Both of which have now been omitted.When the final plans were unveiled, three letters of support were received alongside 21 letters of objection.Darlington Borough Council’s Planning Committee will now review the scheme at a meeting on Friday 14 July.A report which will be scrutinised by committee said: “The job creation as a direct result of the proposed development provides significant social benefits for the local community in reducing unemployment and also providing opportunities for training and development.”The development will go before planners with the recommendation for approval.