A £4M PLAN to create Europe's biggest rose garden as well as a marquee for 400 people, a visitor centre and cookery school at a Grade II* listed stately home has been given approval.

Sir John Hall's application to redevelop the gardens at Wynyard Hall, north of Stockton and create 40 jobs was agreed by Stockton Borough Council's planning committee today (Wednesday, May 29).

The plans for the rose garden and marquee, which will hold musical recitals, have been scaled down following previous objections but it is still hoped between 30,000 and 50,000 visitors a year will come to the gardens.

The single-storey visitor centre will provide a café and gift shop selling local produce and Wynyard Hall related products. The new Cookery School will provide a range of teaching rooms and accommodation for up to 12 people with courses from expert chefs. The new look Wynyard Hall gardens will be open in the next two years.

Objections were heard from Lynn Hind, one of four near neighbours to Wynyard Hall. She said there would be serious traffic problems and noise pollution from the marquee. "It will be like a disco every night, unbearable," she said. However Paul Mackings, chief executive at Sir John Hall's company, Cameron Hall Developments, said the marquee would be sound-proofed and promised to work with the neighbours to minimise impact.

Councillor Michael Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “The rose garden and new visitor centre will provide an enchanting new visitor attraction for the region.”

Mr Mackings, Chief Executive for Cameron Hall Developments, said: “The new plans stay true to Sir John’s Hall vision which is to create a wonderful space full of roses. I can’t emphasis enough at how excited we are about these new plans."