PLANS for a £17m out-of-town auction mart will come under scrutiny tomorrow.

Darlington Borough Council's planning committee will be informed on the latest developments in the Humbleton Farm proposals, as well as plans to build 160 homes in Neasham Road, Darlington.

The housing plans are yet to come before the committee but are integral to the relocation of Darlington Auction Mart to Humbleton Farm from its present site at Clifton Road.

Because the Neasham Road site is owned by Darlington Farmers Auction Mart, its sale with planning permission would make a considerable contribution to the development of the Humbleton Farm site, off the A68.

Due to the nature and scale of the proposals, the Humbleton Farm plans are awaiting approval from the Secretary of State, through the Government Office for the North-East (Gone).

Since planning permission was granted last month, the developers and the council have met to work out problems identified with the plans.

The Highways Agency has also raised concerns over the developments impact on Junction 58 of the A1(M).

This is also likely to be addressed before the plans are sent to Gone.

The meeting will take place in Darlington Town Hall, from 1.30pm tomorrow. Members of the public are welcome to attend.