THE firm that scrapped one of the region's biggest sporting developments - with the potential for 400 jobs - has revealed its hopes of reviving a deal.

High Point Estates had chosen an industrial site on the outskirts of Darlington for a £6m JJB Sports Soccerdome that would have been a national centre of excellence.

But proposals in the same plans for a 60,000sq ft retail area proved unacceptable to planners, who warned that any application would be refused.

Two sets of plans had been submitted to Darlington Borough Council, but High Point was told that neither complied with local policy regarding the Cummins Engines factory site, in Yarm Road.

The latest proposals were withdrawn at the end of last month after the firm reached a stalemate in talks with the council.

The company has since confirmed that it would not be drawing up more Soccerdome plans for Darlington - but it pledged to find another leisure use for the site.

Mark Warrior, of High Point, said he regretted the firm having to give up on the scheme that would have included a TJ Hughes superstore, fast-food outlet and bar.

"The issues were insurmountable from the council's point of view. I feel as though it is a missed opportunity for everyone concerned," he said.

But Mr Warrior said the firm, which owns the Cummins building, was hopeful of regenerating it.

"We have a long-term investment in Darlington and a commitment to that building. We're trying to find an alternative use for that building," he said.

"There is 40,000sq ft of space and we're not going to let that go to rack and ruin."

The council said the Soccerdome project fell through because it had sought a reduction of the size of the retail element and no amended plans were forthcoming.

The Yarm Road area of Darlington suffered a major blow last year when the announcement of the closure of the Torrington Engineering plant, with the loss of 104 jobs, was made.