A MULTI-MILLION pound leisure complex in Darlington has been granted outline planning approval.

Darlington Borough Council's planning applications committee this week approved in principle a plan to redevelop a derelict site opposite Feethams bus station

Developer Terrace Hill is seeking to build a multiplex cinema, car park and restaurant/bars on the site.

But rival developer, Simons Estates, has been foiled in its bid to have an identical development on the bus station site itself.

Councillors refused permission for this development because Simons Estates has no interest in the site opposite the bus station, and if its proposed scheme went ahead, it would leave an unsightly piece of land unused.

The firm has refuted that, saying that if the Terrace Hill scheme comes to fruition, the town will still be left with an unused and unsightly bus station