A distinctive landmark in Darlington could be a thing of the past, if proposals for a multi-million pound retail and leisure development are given the green light.

The plans to redevelop the former Cummins Engine Ltd site, in Yarm Road, include a nine-screen multiplex cinema, four restaurants, a health and fitness club, bowling centre and retail units.

Developers hope the project could lead to major regeneration of the out-skirts of the town, attracting people from further afield as well as benefiting residents.

It is thought the leisure complex - spanning across the whole of the former Cummins factory and land to the rear of the building - would also feature almost 1,000 car parking spaces and create 200 jobs.

The planning application has been made by Harrogate-based property developers High Point Estates to Darlington Borough Council. It is the third application the company has made in three years, after previous plans to build retail and sporting facilities, including a Soccerdome, were shelved.

The developers have owned the 177,000 sq ft piece of land since 1999.

Spokesman for High Point Estates, Mark Warrior, said: "We have owned the land for over five years now, but it took some time before anyone took an interest in it.

"We have submitted two previous applications to the council for leisure and sporting facilities, but they were refused.

"We hope these plans meet with their approval.

The eastern part of the site, stretching 40,000 sq ft, is currently being occupied by mobile phone company Orange and operates as a call centre.

The remaining 137,000 sq ft is still used by engineering business Cummins for storage.

The planning application states that, if the project was given the go-ahead, Cummins would simply relocate and Orange would continue to use the site, but only on a short term basis.

A spokesman for the council said: "There is no doubt that if the plans were to go-ahead, it would mean major regeneration and investment for the town.

"However, the council still needs much more information about the application and we are expecting to hear more from the applicant within the week.

"Even if these plans were agreed by the council, it would be a long time before any building work took place. This is such a big project with many issues to consider, including parking facilities and traffic implications.