CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to fight the latest proposals for a mini-supermarket after council planners confirmed they will consider the application.

Protestors in the Harrowgate Hill area of Darlington had asked councillors on the planning committee to reject Tesco's third application to build a store in North Road, Darlington, because there were no significant changes.

The council received the latest plans from Tesco to convert the run-down petrol station into an Express store last week.

Council officers confirmed they would consider the application in full.

Councillors have rejected two previous applications for the site.

Residents in Harrowgate Hill have vowed to fight the plans.

A petition has been started and objectors have arranged meetings with senior planners.

A spokeswoman for the "Say No to Tesco" group in Harrowgate Hill said: "I am astounded. To me the application hasn't changed.

"It is still the same size, still the same site."

The spokeswoman said she was worried about the effect on stores in the area.

She said: "It is going to be twice the size of other stores. They are bound to be able to give extra choice.

"It is too big for the area."

Ward councillor Gill Cartwright also asked the council to reject the plans. Last week, she said local opposition could become weary in its fight against the plans.

Coun Cartwright said: "We want to look at the two sets of plans side by side. Significant change is up to debate. It is disappointing really."

Tesco's plans are for a 349sq m site, including 240sq m of store space.

There will also be 17 parking spaces - an increase on previous applications.

Retail, traffic and environmental assessments have also been included.

The application states: "This is clearly an offer that does not presently exist within the Harrowgate Hill area and provides a genuine alternative for local shopping by improving the qualitative provision."

Tesco said the store would allow independent butchers, bakers and newsagents to continue to trade alongside other convenience stores.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "There are some differences in the proposals so it's our professional obligation to consider them in full, as we would with any other planning application.