PLANS for a mini supermarket that have divided a community, are expected to be passed only months after they were refused.

Darlington Borough Council planning officers have recommended that the Tesco Express store, on a former petrol station, in North Road, Darlington, be approved.

The proposals will be heard by the council's planning committee next week.

Since it submitted the application, Tesco carried out a survey and almost 300 residents returned their comments with just under two-thirds in favour.

A total of 521 letters of objection have been received by the council, with only ten in favour.

Residents said the store was unnecessary, would create too much traffic, cause too much noise and litter, would be more suitable for housing and was too close to other shops.

But some residents want the site, which attracts anti-social behaviour, brought back into use.

Conservative councillor Gill Cartwright said: "It seems to be a contentious issue in the area, though we have our fair share of those in Harrowgate Hill.

"There were mixed views when I went round canvassing."

Councillor Mark Burton said he and two other Labour candidates talked to people about the store before the May 3 elections.

He said two-thirds of the residents opposed the application.

He said: "Overall, the vast majority of our community would like to see the site put back into use, but fear the adverse effects which a Tesco store may have on our established local convenience stores."

Tesco corporate affairs manager Carol Leslie said: "The level of support is particularly encouraging and clearly shows that local people want a convenient place, where they can walk to and that is competitive."

The first plans were refused last September.

Council officers recommended the amended plans be approved because they "respected the amenity of the area". But the report added that Tesco had not produced sufficient evidence to prove there was a need for store.

The meeting takes place in the town hall, on Wednesday, at 12.30pm.