THE owners of a Darlington industrial estate on the route of a multi-million pound bypass have raised traffic concerns about a major development.

Plans unveiled earlier this year for a business park on the outskirts of town have already sparked congestion fears.

A 95-acre plot of farmland between the Lingfield site and the A66 has been earmarked for a project, including warehouses, offices, a hotel and thousands of parking spaces.

The site was chosen because it would link in with the new £12.5m Darlington eastern transport corridor.

When the plans were revealed, local ward councillor Brian Jones said the road might not be able to cope with the extra demand.

The new road, which is expected to be finished next year, is being built to help solve Darlington's congestion problems.

But Marchday, the owner of Lingfield Point, which sees its industrial estate as part of the future prosperity of Darlington, has written to Darlington Borough Council about its concerns.

A spokesman told The Northern Echo: "Marchday is working with the council and other landowners on a comprehensive traffic assessment in relation to all developments and potential developments along the Darlington eastern transport corridor."

Coun Jones told the council's transport forum earlier this year that the road would not be able to cope with the extra demand placed on it.

He has also warned it could have a knock-on effect on the villages of Sadberge and Middleton St George to the east of Darlington.

This week, he said: "It is the same point as I raised that the roads will be swamped."

Sadberge Parish Council has also opposed the plans because it would create more traffic in the village.

Plans for the business park were submitted by Leeds-based construction firm PPG Land in January.

The estate, on farmland owned by Durham Cathedral, includes three large warehouses, a 60-bedroom hotel and restaurant, office blocks and more than 3,000 parking spaces.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said the plans are still under consideration. No date has been set for it to be heard by the council's planning committee.