A DEVELOPMENT company is to press on with its case for a hotel and business park on an old factory site in the Yarm Road area of Darlington.

The firm behind plans to build a 57-bed hotel and office and industrial units at the former Torrington site has appealed against Darlington Borough Council’s refusal of planning permission.

Commercial Development Projects, of West Yorkshire, has said the venture could create more than 1,000 jobs. As well as a hotel and 67,000sq ft of office and industrial space, it plans to build two restaurants and a pub.

The council refused the scheme in March as the planning committee wanted to protect the site for prestige employment uses.

Councillors felt it would impact on other proposals for a hotel in the area and that there was no demonstrable need for a pub and restaurant, which could draw people from the town centre.

At the time of the application, Commercial Developments said if the plan was not given permission, the site could remain vacant for many years.

The company said that, despite the credit crunch, it had the cash to begin work on the project and had agreed details with Travelodge, Frankie & Benny’s and Mitchell & Butlers for the retail outlets.

It offered to pay £2m for an internal road network and to improve Yarm Road.

The site has been vacant since the Torrington plant closed in 2003. In 2005, a plan for a £60m retail park was rejected because officials said it was fundamentally flawed.

In 2007, Commercial Developments began to draw up new plans and clear the site.

Ward councillor Ian Haszeldine said this week: “When the original application was put in, I wasn’t 100 per cent behind it, but I did say I would like to see it developed.

“However, I think the site has stood empty long enough and it needs some development to enhance the area and to attract companies into Darlington.

“The one concern I would have is the traffic impact. I would like there to be some sort of redesign of the roads. But I would like to see some development here to enhance the approach to the borough as, at the moment, it’s a derelict site.”

The appeal will be dealt with by means of an informal hearing.

No-one at Commercial Developments was available for comment.