Darlington Auction Mart: Town centre move plan
Moving an important regional cattle market to a new site will help secure its future, its owners say.
Darlington Farmers Auction Mart (DFAM) has been operating from Clifton Road since 1887.
But DFAM says the town centre location occasionally disrupts weekly trading, and has limited growth opportunities.
Online planning consent has been given for a 50-hectare site at Humbleton Farm, on the A68 on the outskirts of the town.
DFAM has appointed a development company - WMC North East - to facilitate the process.
It will also be responsible for securing additional businesses to the site, including a green energy plant.
Tony Ward, project director, said: "The proposed new facility and wider masterplan will bring a much improved service to all our customers and the farming community in general, as well as providing employment opportunities during construction and once opened."