Dozens of jobs promised in supermarket plans

The site proposed for a new Lidl store once housed a now-demolished Go North East depot

Plans to build a supermarket on the site of a now-demolished bus depot would create dozens of jobs, according to those behind the project.

Lidl has applied for permission to build a store on land off Picktree Lane, in Chester-le-Street, which used to be home to a Go North East depot.

The supermarket retailer said it would be a multimillion-pound project and create 40 jobs.

David Murphy, from the company, claimed the store would deliver "a significant boost to the local economy".

If approved, the new Lidl store would be built opposite the town's branch of Aldi and provide up to 133 parking spaces, reports the Local Democracy Reporting service.

Planning documents said the former bus depot site was deemed the most suitable after a review of others locations nearby.

"There are currently limited opportunities for any significant new development within Chester-le-Street town centre and, of those sites which have been identified, none are suitable or available to accommodate the proposed development," it said in the documents.

Durham County Council will consider the planning application later this year.