AN MP has urged the swift approval of planning applications set to breathe new life into a derelict corner of Durham City.

A local development company has been granted permission to create a 170,000sq ft retail park, including a B&Q store, on a site in the Dragonville area of Durham.

Dragonville Development Ltd (DDL), however, later amended its application to allow for improved access roads.

The new submission was welcomed by both the City and County Councils but it coincided with two new development proposals on adjacent sites - which resulted in all three applications being called in by the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. In July, a four-day public inquiry into the applications was heard by Government Planning Inspector Andrew Freeman.

With no decision yet, Durham's MP Gerry Steinberg yesterday called for a speedy approval of the applications.

He said: "I have for many years supported the development of this site. The initial application agreed was not totally satisfactory in my view because of poor access to the site.

"We now have a ridiculous situation, where a much improved application, offering an enhanced layout for Sunderland Road and a link road through to Renny's Lane, which would alleviate the pressure of vehicle movements at Dragon Lane traffic lights, has been called-in yet a less satisfactory scheme has been approved."

"My fear is that if the called-in application does not get approval or the wait for a decision is lengthy, the developer may proceed with the original inferior scheme."

Mr Steinberg said that the proposals submitted by the three developers for the site complemented one another and that they would create new jobs and a safer, more attractive development, boosted by a package of environmental and highway improvements.

He said that the people of Durham had been waiting for a development of this kind.

"It is my view that it would be disastrous if the proposed scheme were refused," he said.