A PLAN to build a multi- million pound shopping complex in Darlington town centre was back on track last night - with four developers bidding to win the contract.

The future of the £90m Commercial Street/Queen Street scheme was thrown into doubt in September when the previous developer pulled out.

But council chiefs revealed yesterday that there had been an "incredible amount of interest" in developing the project from other companies.

The four contenders battling to win the contract - Centros Miller, Discovery Properties, Lehman Brothers WD and Wilson Bowden Developments - have been whittled down from a list of 15 companies.

They have two months to deliver detailed proposals for the site.

Council bosses will make a decision on which will build the centre at the end of February.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "The council is in the middle of a two-stage process of choosing a new developer for Commercial Street.

"Fifteen developers made submissions and four developers have been shortlisted to proceed to the second stage.

"It is very exciting and brilliant news for the town. If we got 15 down to four, it shows there is an incredible amount of interest in Darlington."

The original developer, St Martin's Property Group, owner of the Queen Street shopping arcade, put its 6.42-acre site in the town centre up for sale in September, saying it wanted to concentrate on developments in London.

Council leaders feared the land could be sold to a company not interested in developing it for shopping, thereby disrupting a long-term strategy to transform Darlington town centre.

The authority decided to market its own neighbouring land for sale to ensure the complex was built.

The council spokesman said the developers bidding for the contract would be expected to incorporate the Queen Street arcade into their proposals.

"Whichever developer is chosen would discuss their plans with St Martin's or whoever St Martin's sold its interest to," he said.

Council leader Councillor John Williams said: "We now have four top-quality developers putting together plans for the Commercial Street project, which shows there is a high level of confidence in Darlington town centre.

"Now we must be patient and examine the detailed proposals when they are completed.

"We must also ensure that the developer we select will be able to deliver the scheme that is right for our town."

Darlington MP Alan Milburn said he was delighted at the level of interest in the scheme.

"I have never doubted for one moment that this development could attract companies of a high calibre," he said.

"This is good news for the jobs market and will help reaffirm the town as a major retail centre in the region."

Alasdair MacConachie, chairman of Darlington Partnership, said: "This is really terrific news because the demise of the previous proposition was very disappointing.

"It's just what the town needs, and needs it overwhelmingly, because the whole town centre needs to take a step forward. We are concerned that people continue to be attracted to other shopping centres.

"This is what the people of Darlington want and the private sector would be very keen on it."

But Councillor Tony Richmond, leader of Darlington's opposition Conservative group, said it was too early to celebrate.

He said: "I am glad there is a shortlist of potential developers who are looking to develop this site but, of course, we have been here before.

"I don't want to sound negative, but the real success is when construction starts.

"The St Martin's development was going to go ahead.

"Let's hope on this occasion it's not a repeat of St Martin's."

A spokeswoman for St Martin's said there had been no further developments since its site was put up for sale.