A SEARCH is on for GPs to run a doctors' surgery that is proposed for Darlington.

The planned surgery is part of a development next to Alverton Drive in the Faverdale area, which will also include shops and houses.

The proposal will go before Darlington Borough Council's planning committee on September 12, with a recommendation for approval.

A spokesman for the developer said: "We need the support of the health authority for the doctors' surgery.

"There is a potential need for a doctors' surgery in the area, but we need to find a practice that wants to take up the new surgery, and for this we need the help of the health authority."

It is hoped that two or more doctors will work at the surgery, which would also have a nurse who would run toddler and baby groups.

As well as the surgery, there will be 14 apartments, a convenience store, two small shops and car parking in the development.

The spokesman said: "We want to get under way as soon as possible. The money is all in place, and so we are just waiting for the planning permission and then the building can start.

"If we can't get doctors to open up the surgery, then the unit will be turned into something else.

"By Christmas, we hope to be building and, by April, we would like to have the development complete."

The proposal has received a boost from the Government Office for the North-East, which decided not to call in the plans for inspection.

The project has been welcomed by people in Faverdale who, at the moment, have to travel into Cockerton for groceries or into the town centre to see a doctor.

Near the site, the big West Park development, across the A68, is in its final planning stages.

As well as up to 600 homes, the development includes a new mental health centre, to replace Darlington Memorial Hospital's Pierremont Unit.

A new home for Mowden Park Rugby Club is also planned for the West Park site.

The work is scheduled to take ten years to complete.