Bishop Auckland stadium scheme approved
Plans for a £45m mixed-use leisure scheme in Bishop Auckland, County Durham have got the go-ahead from Hazel Blears, secretary of state for communities and local government.
The project, now formerly approved by the Government Offices for the North East, is led by developer Terrace Hill and will result in vacant land being redeveloped into a 150,000sq ft (13,935sq m) leisure park. The park is designed by Lister Associate Architects in collaboration with planning consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners to include a 58,000sq ft (5,388sq m) leisure complex. When complete, the development will comprise a six-screen, 1,000-seat cinema, a bingo hall and ten-pin bowling alley alongside two restaurants and a new Northern Premier Leagure-standard stadium for Bishop Auckland Football Club.
The stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2010-11 football season.