COUNCILLORS in Durham are raising no objection to plans to increase the size of a factory shopping complex.

Two years ago, Durham City Council opposed the development at Dalton Flatts, Murton, claiming it breached planning policies and could hamper developments in the city centre, such as the Prince Bishops shopping centre.

Developer London and Amsterdam, which has taken over the scheme from Matthew Fox Developments, now wants to double the shopping floor space to 200,000sq ft.

The £36m development is expected to create 1,100 permanent jobs, and is regarded as the key to regenerating the former pit area.

Environment Secretary John Prescott gave it outline permission in January last year, saying the need to boost the local economy outweighed any drawbacks to the scheme.

Durham City Council has been consulted by Easington District Council on the revised proposals, and decided not to oppose them.

Head of planning David Thornborrow told the development control committee that the scheme breached national, regional and county planning policies.

But he added: "Easington is ranked within the top ten most deprived districts in England under the index of multiple deprivation 2000 statistics.

"Clearly, it is this, and the need to introduce radical policies for regeneration of the local economy, which prompted the Secretary of State's decision.

"This council is active in addressing social and economic malaise within deprived wards in this authority, and members will be aware of the innovative measures which are required to impact on poverty and deprivation.

"In the light of this, the committee may consider that it does not wish to object to the proposal.''

Mr Thornborrow also told councillors there were no "substantive'' grounds for opposing the revised scheme.

The extra shopping floor space will be at the expense of three of the planned eight multiplex cinema screens.

Other elements of the scheme include a hotel and bowling centre.

Sunderland city councillors are objecting because they fear the bigger development will take trade from stores in Sunderland, Washington and Houghton-le-Spring.

They are also concerned that road improvements will be needed at Hetton-le-Hole to deal with the extra traffic the complex will generate