A NORTH-EAST council last night took urgent action to ensure that a crucial £90m retail development goes ahead.
St Martin's Property Group pulled out of the Commercial Street scheme, in Darlington, last month to concentrate on projects in London.
It put its Queen Street shopping arcade up for sale, in a major blow for the town.
The development left Darlington Borough Council chiefs fearing that the land could be sold to a company not interested in developing it for shopping, affecting plans to revive the town centre.
But last night, the authority's councillor approved a plan to market its own neighbouring land for sale and use its powers of compulsory purchase to ensure the complex is built.
Council car park land in Commercial Street and Kendrew Street will be marketed for sale.
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