PLANS to create the only brewery within Darlington alongside one of the borough's country pubs are being recommended for approval.

The Micro Brewery at the Tawny Owl pub, in Neasham Road, Hurworth Moor, has applied to convert a play barn into a brewery with four fermenting vessels to produce real ale which would employ five people.

Darlington Borough Council's planning committee will discuss the plan tomorrow, when the application is recommended to be approved.

The planning officer's report concluded: "The scale of the proposed development is limited and as such its impact on local residents and the environment in general will be limited.

"The proposal, if successful, will employ five people and will act as an adjunct to the adjacent pub - each will benefit from the existence of the other.

"In tourism terms, this development, if successful, will be likely to benefit Darlington which currently does not have a brewery within the borough."

The plans have split opinion in the area, with three neighbours objecting to the proposals and two people - including the landlord of the pub - writing in support of the application.

Concerns included noise and disturbance from delivery vehicles, smells from the brewing process, increased traffic and road safety problems, no bus route, and that the industrial process was inappropriate in the rural area.

Those supporting the application said the plan would bring use to a redundant building, encourage tourism and increase the viability of the pub.

The planning meeting starts at 1.30pm in the town hall and is open to the public.