Councillors have clashed over multi-million plans to regenerate Bishop Auckland town centre, with Labour labelling an ambitious council project a “white elephant waste of money”. 

A new bus station and wider transport connectivity improvements have been revealed by Durham County Council as part of its ‘masterplan’ to improve the town, aided by an £11m Government funding boost, which it hopes will attract more people into the town. 

The replacement bus station, on Saddler Street, is proposed alongside a new 120-space car park. Visitor numbers to Bishop Auckland are expected to significantly increase through a series of regeneration projects and more car parking provision is required to meet the needs of those visiting the town, the council said.

Elsewhere, the council recently acquired the ailing Newgate Shopping Centre in a bid to redevelop the site and create a “vibrant and attractive site” that attracts new visitors. 

But the bus station plans, revealed in February, received a mixed response from residents during public consultation events. While there was some support for the plans, people interviewed by The Local Democracy Reporting Service said filling the high street’s empty shops should be a priority.

The Northern Echo: How the inside of the new bus station could look How the inside of the new bus station could look (Image: Durham County Council)

The Northern Echo: How the new bus station and surrounding area could look How the new bus station and surrounding area could look (Image: Durham County Council)

Read more: Plans for new Bishop Auckland bus station and car park revealed

And now, Labour councillors for West Auckland cllr Rob Yorke and George Smith have voiced their dismay for the proposal, and said the Newgate Centre should be demolished. 

Cllr Yorke said: “We welcome investment coming into the town from the Future High Street Fund, but it should have been spent on the High Street. The council’s priorities are all wrong.

“And there are so many other questions: Why did the council purchase the Newgate Centre? What is it going to do with it? Why did it purchase the B&M Bargains store? What plans does it have now B&M have announced it is closing?

“The town needs an enhanced retail offer. The council should have purchased and demolished the Newgate Centre, moving the small businesses in it onto the High Street. We asked for enhancements to town centre streets and removal of a near-empty eyesore shopping centre, but this coalition simply wants a newer place for buses to park.

“Having backed a ludicrous plan for half a bypass at Toft Hill to satisfy an election pledge for a one-term MP, this regressive Coalition is now pushing through another white elephant waste of money. 

Read more: First image revealed for new Bishop Auckland STACK venue

Cllr Smith added: “That money could be revolutionary to enhance our retail streets and create much-needed green space but instead it will be wasted on things that we just don’t need.”

The Northern Echo: There are several empty units inside the Newgate Shopping Centre There are several empty units inside the Newgate Shopping Centre (Image: Durham County Council)

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for Economy and Partnerships, responded by blaming the previous Labour administration for years of decline in the town. 

 “Our vision for the Newgate Centre is to create a vibrant and attractive site that businesses and members of the public want to come to, again boosting the economy by both encouraging more people into the town centre, and creating jobs,” cllr Scott said. “We will be working with experts to review the future strategy for the wider site, and the results of this will be carefully considered before any new plans are developed.

“Bishop Auckland town centre has seen years of decline under a Labour-run council. The people of Bishop Auckland voted Labour out and it’s now the job of the Joint Administration to revitalise the infrastructure that will support private investment in the town.

“We are already seeing the green shoots of regeneration and developments like the new bus station will provide an essential lifeline for many local people travelling in for work, shopping, education, medical appointments and leisure.”