AN auctioneers' firm is likely to gain permission to establish a new base in Darlington.

The Thomas Watson auction house, in Northumberland Street, submitted proposals to Darlington Borough Council, for a second base, on the Yarm Road industrial estate. But the scheme suffered a setback when council officers recommended refusal, saying the development should not take place at an edge-of-town site.

Last month, councillors deferred a decision to allow the firm to conduct a survey to determine what other sites were available.

Council officers are now urging planning committee members to approve the scheme when they meet on Wednesday.

Agents acting on behalf of Thomas Watson have convinced officers that planning permission should be granted. They stressed the firm would continue to use its Northumberland Street site, which it has occupied since 1847.

The Yarm Road base would be used for larger, bulkier items and would help reduce traffic congestion in the town centre.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England objected to the plan, saying the new base should be in the town centre.

A report to councillors says the firm has demonstrated the need for larger premises, but the proposed site was not easily accessible.

Officers have recommended that, subject to no further objections being received, permission for the new site should be granted.