AN application to expand an outof- town shopping complex is being recommended for refusal because it would have an adverse effect on the nearby town centre.
Work is nearly complete on phase one of the Bishop Auckland Shopping Park, in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, which will see Next, Boots, Costa Coffee, Brantano, Pets At Home and Marks and Spencer open.
A decision on plans for an extra four units is expected to be made by members of Durham County Council’s planning committee next Tuesday.
In a report to councillors, planning officers say there are more preferable sites within the town centre and any proposed out-oftown development “would have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Bishop Auckland town centre”.
The development has created mixed feelings, with Bishop Auckland Town Council strongly objecting to it and a number of residents raising concerns on how it will affect town centre trading.
County councillor Neil Harrison is also objecting to the application.
He has stated the impact of phase one is not yet known as it is still under construction and highlighted that when it was considered, councillors went against the recommendation and approved it.
At the same meeting next week, an application by developer Gentoo for a number of shops and restaurants on the former bus depot site in North Bondgate, Bishop Auckland, is being recommended for approval.
There are no objections to the plan. However, Stewart Allen, managing director of Gentoo, claims his multi-million-pound development may never get off the ground if the out-of-town site is allowed to expand.
Despite council officers welcoming the proposal for its flexibility and the regeneration of a neglected part of town, Mr Allen said they would struggle to attract the much-needed big businesses.
If the expansion to the Bishop Auckland Shopping Park is given the go-ahead, Metric Properties, which is behind the development, will pay £80,000 towards the provision of two business advisors to work with Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership and £48,000 towards funding 17 apprenticeships in the town.
Durham County Council’s planning committee will meet at County Hall, in Durham City, next Tuesday, at 2pm.
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