A new development could see Darlington cattle mart moved to a £14m out-of-town complex, it was revealed yesterday.

Darlington Farmers' Auction Mart Company hopes to build an agricultural and equine centre to house the town's mart at Humbleton Farm, on the A68, near the A1, creating up to 300 jobs.

The proposed centre aims to become a one-stop shop for the rural community, with services and businesses geared towards the agricultural population. It would also be used as a conference and exhibition centre.

It has been modelled on a centre near Aberdeen, where agricultural consultants and vets work alongside banks and solicitors to serve the farming community.

The centre also houses bars and restaurants, and a National Farmers Union office.

A fresh campaign to find a new location for Darlington's mart, which has been on its town centre site for 125 years, was launched in March by three Park East ward councillors - Cyndi Hughes, Glen Reynolds and Joe Lyonette.

People living in the area have complained of delivery lorries obstructing the road and causing traffic chaos, but the council has had difficulty finding a suitable alternative site - something they are legally obligated to do.

If the plans go ahead, the Darlington Borough Council-owned mart site will be sold for housing development and the money re-invested into the new centre.

The Northern Echo understands a number of national building firms have expressed an interest in buying and developing the site.

Because it involves developing a green field site and departs from general planning policy, the application will have to be considered by the council's planning committee and the Local Government Office. Once the plans have been submitted, it could take between four and six months for final approval.

John Buxton, the council's director of development and environment, said: "The council has been trying to find a way of helping the mart to relocate, but we have never had the money to do it. In principle, we would want to see the cattle market moved.

"It is the best proposal we have had for solving the difficulties at Clifton Road."

Councillors welcomed the proposed centre.

Coun Hughes said: "On transport and public health grounds alone, anyone with any common sense would have to agree that the market is in the wrong place."

Leader of the council John Williams said: "The proposed new cattle mart and agricultural centre has the potential to bring huge economic and environmental benefits to Darlington.

"The development would bring jobs and business to the borough. The removal of the large livestock market from the Clifton Road area will be warmly welcomed by local residents."

Steven Aitken, managing director of the mart company, said: "This would be a tremendous move, not just for Darlington Farmers' Auction Mart, but for everyone in the area."