CONTROVERSIAL proposals to create a huge designer outlet shopping centre at Scotch Corner will go before planners again next week.

Proposals for the Scotch Corner Designer Outlet Centre were endorsed by Richmondshire’s planning committee in January but in August it was decided the plans would be called in by the Secretary of State for housing and planning Greg Clark for a public inquiry.

That inquiry is due to be held in May 2016 – but developers are returning to the planning authority next Tuesday, December 1, with an amended application.

The new proposal makes three main changes to the previous scheme - a reduction in floor space; proposals for controls to restrict the nature of the development; and sustainable transport improvements.

If committee members vote in favour of the new application the Secretary of State would be consulted again to decide whether it too was an application he wanted to consult on.

England and Lyle, chartered town planners commissioned on behalf of the district council to advise on the application, said the scheme had been reduced from 84 retail units to 70, and eight restaurants, the same as previously submitted.

The floors space has been reduced by removing some of the mezzanine levels to some of the stores, with the footprint of the development remaining the same.

A spokesman for England and Lyle said: “It is acknowledged that strong objections have been received in respect to the original planning application from a number of neighbouring authorities and interested parties.

“It is understood that formal objections to the revised proposals have not yet been received – but it is believed that Stockton Borough Council, Darlington Borough Council and Hambleton District Council will be maintaining previous objections.”

He said the scheme will be one of the largest outlet villages in the country and will deliver significant investment and around 700 job opportunities to the local area.

He added: “It is anticipated that the proposed scheme will attract a large number of ‘tourist’ visitors, serving to increase the profile of the local area and providing potential additional spin-off trade and benefits to the local economy.”

The new scheme proposes to increase the frequency of buses between Darlington and Richmond to a service which operates every 15 minutes, timed around start and finish times for staff shifts and operating seven days a week.

Existing services are proposed to be extended throughout the day to cover Catterick and Catterick Garrison and a hopper service is proposed to operate from the on-site bus interchange.