A TOWN centre site chosen for the construction of a cinema and leisure complex could be used for offices instead.

Developer Terrace Hill has applied to Darlington Borough Council for permission to build an office block on the site at the corner of Feethams and Houndgate in the town - opposite the bus station and at the rear of the Dolphin Centre.

The site was left derelict by fire in January 2000.

Despite a number of false starts about work commencing, the area remains untouched.

Outline planning permission was granted last year to turn the site into a multi-million pound leisure complex, but yesterday no one at Terrace Hill was available to comment on the change in plans.

The existing planning application is for 30,000 sq ft of office space on four floors.

It would include two lift services and parking for 46 cars.

Terrace Hill anticipates that the planning application will be determined in November, which could mean that the building is ready for occupation by the end of 2003.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said it was hoped the offices, if approved, would attract more development to the area and could lead to the long-awaited cinema being built further back on the same site.

He said: "We have just received the application and it now has to go through the planning process which we can not pre-judge. However, town centre office development is encouraged and it would contribute to the town's overall development strategy."

The cause of the fire, which destroyed the site, including the former Houndgate dance hall, was never determined but police ruled out any criminal activity.

Soon after the fire, Terrace Hill started a battle against rival Simons Estates for the contract to develop the site.

Terrace Hill claimed it would build a multiplex cinema, shops, restaurants and bars, as well as a multi-storey car park on the site

But those opposed to the scheme were concerned that the plans did not include the redevelopment of the bus station, which had been included in the Simons Estates scheme.