PLANNING officials have given approval to plans for a multi-million pound extension of Newton Aycliffe town centre.

Members of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee met yesterday to discuss the long-awaited application for the £25m scheme.

The authority's director of planning, John Litherland, on his last day before leaving for a new post, said: "As we have said many times before, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to actually do something to improve the currently inadequate, outdated and outmoded town centre in Newton Aycliffe. The people of Newton Aycliffe deserve more, and this was recognised some time ago."

Planning officer Charlie Walton said the development had three main elements, a Tesco food store with car park, an urban park with a youth centre, and more than 20 other retail stores.

There are also plans for a new library, health centre and elderly people's drop-in centre.

Pivotal to the scheme is its integration with the existing town centre and the demolition of buildings at one end of the site.

Subject to ratification, the council is to enter into a development agreement which could involve the compulsory purchase of the premises.

Councillors backed the scheme, which it is estimated could increase business turnover by 140 per cent.

Councillor Bob Fleming, who proposed the motion to approve the application, said: "This represents a massive increase for Newton Aycliffe and I'm excited about this proposal."