CIVIC leaders have called for urgent action to regenerate a key town centre site after hearing Tesco has pulled out of a multi million investment plan.

Councillors in Stanley say land in the Clifford Road area has become ‘an eyesore’ and is in dire need of revitalisation.

The retail giant, which owns the land, has been talking about plans to develop it with a new state-of-the-art superstore since 2009 and was granted planning permission two years later.

But this week the troubled chain confirmed their plan is not going ahead, scuppering the 250 jobs promised.

Derek Shingleton, acting clerk of Stanley Town Council, said: “We recognise that the regeneration of Stanley is an important issue for our community and having a Tesco store here would have gone some way to addressing the situation.”

Stanley Town Councillor Christine Bell, who is chairman of the Stanley Traders’ Association, said she would like to see the land sold and a retail park developed on the site.

She said: “I would like to see something similar to the retail development in Consett.

“It does not have to be a big conglomerate of shops, but it is big enough for something like that. I hope that Tesco does not land bank it.”

Calls for a retail park were echoed by Councillor Joyce Charlton, who sits on the town council as well as Durham County Council.

She said: “Why don’t they put it up for sale? At least then it would give someone else the chance to develop it.

“They are notorious for picking up land and not doing anything with it. I cannot understand it. It beggars belief. The whole place is an eyesore.”

Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, said he was ‘disappointed’ the development had been scrapped and said it would have been beneficial for the town.

He said: “I will be arranging to speak to representatives from Tesco about this as soon as possible.”

Tesco has also pulled out of schemes in Peterlee, Gateshead and Amble, with almost 1,000 job opportunities gone and announced 43 stores are to close around the country.

The firm has said it is soon to say what will happen to the undeveloped County Durham sites.

Chief executive Dave Lewis said: “I am very aware of the importance of the sites to the area and I am determined that we will work closely with local councils to find the right solution for the local communities.”