DURHAM City Council has been rapped for allowing the city's popular £2m Soccarena indoor football complex to spoil views of Durham Cathedral.

The council has been found guilty of maladministration by the Local Government Ombudsman over its granting of planning permission for the warehouse-style building in 2002.

Ombudsman Anne Seex said the development control committee failed to consider the council's own planning policies when it approved the complex, which is next to Durham City AFC's Archibalds Stadium, near the A690 at Belmont, and is highly visible from roads into the city and the East Coast Main Line

She investigated after a resident, Tim Clark, of Newton Hall, complained about the "hideous appearance'' of the building, which is home to full size and six-a-side football pitches.

The complex, used by players of all ages, was built by football club chairman Stewart Dawson in 2004 and was opened by former Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2005.

Ms Seex said that the stadium was in a "landscape that was supposed to be specifically protected" and that the complainant could reasonably have expected the view to be protected, preserved and enhanced.

The council had policies in its Local Plan to protect and enhance the environment, but the committee was not made aware of them.

The council has agreed to commission an independent landscape consultant to produce a report and recommendations on what, if anything, can be done to reduce the building's visual impact. The council will consider the recommendations and decide whether they should be implemented.

A spokesman for Ms Seex said there was no suggestion the building would have to be demolished.

David Thornborrow, the council's head of planning services, said: "The Ombudsman's findings are accepted and the council regrets that in reporting the application to committee in January 2002, members were not made aware of two specific planning policies that they should have taken into account in assessing the application.''

Mr Clark said: "The issue is nothing to do with football, only the hideous appearance of the building. This stadium does great damage to the appearance of the green valley in the middle of North Durham."

Mr Dawson could not be contacted for comment.