A CONTROVERSIAL plan to pedestrianise the heart of Darlington town centre has taken an important step forward after securing funding of £3.5m from the regional development agency.

One North-East announced yesterday that it was making the cash available so the borough council could continue with its plan to transform the town's economic fortunes.

Critics fear the £6.5m project will mean the loss of historic features on High Row. But yesterday councillors confirmed their support for the plan after funding for the scheme was questioned at the resources scrutiny committee.

They heard £3.5m will come from One North-East, £2.5m from council cash reserves and the remainder from the Department of Transport and private retailers.

Council leader Councillor John Williams said: "This is great news. It means that the exciting plans that we have to regenerate our town centre can now go ahead."

It will help pave the way for the development of a £50m shopping centre in the Commercial Street area, with the prospect of 1,100 jobs.

But opponents to the scheme are angry that the balustrades and steps are to be removed.

Councillor Tony Richmond, Darlington Conservative leader, said: "There is a strong campaign to have Victorian features in the details of the scheme.

"The council has admitted that there is sufficient flexibility in the scheme to do that."

"It may well be that the council listens to people and responds to the people of the town."

The cash will allow work to begin on pedestrianisation early next year and be completed by the end of 2008.

The next step is for a formal planning application to carry out the work.

Alan Clarke, One North-East chief executive, said: "This funding will allow the development of Darlington as a major North-East retail centre, boosting local business and improving the town centre environment."