PLANS have been submitted to transform a derelict Grade II listed building into a thriving wedding venue with offices.

Dalton Pumping Station, in Cold Hesledon, County Durham, was originally built in 1873-79 for South Shields Water Company.

The building, which stopped operating as a pumping station in the Second World War, has been bought by entrepreneur Vikki McCarthy-Wright, who owns House of Mooshki bridal fashion business, and her husband Ian Wright, who owns Rufus Creative Design.

In the planning overview statement the owners state: “As you know we are looking for a change of use to allow us to host weddings and other events. I have been in the bridal industry for over a decade now running an international wedding dress design company, House of Mooshki. Local brides are currently having to go out of the area to the likes of Otter burn in Northumberland to access the kind of venue they want. We do have the amazing Seaham Hall on our doorstep, but their focus is not on this revenue stream and only host 25-30 weddings a year. Our aim is to not only keep the brides as local as we can but to be an attractive enough proposition to brides from other areas. This would not only benefit the pump house but other local businesses / restaurants and hotels. We have already reached out to Seaham Hall to help us with regards to accommodation and we will be touching base with others too in helping offering different levels of overnight accommodation from hotels, guesthouses and lodges.

“In addition to weddings which will be our main role for the building we want to develop a range of activities and events throughout the year to bring the community into the building. Pit villages were at their very heart, community orientated and this has probably been lost over the last few decades since the pits have closed. We want the Dalton Old Pump House to be the centre of activity and the in place to go for the local community.”

The applicants say the conversion of the existing Victorian building will not have a detrimental effect on the building or its surroundings.

The entrepreneurs the development will provide much needed revenue to retain and upkeep the heritage asset, securing its future for generations to come.

The full planning application and comments of the proposals can be found online at publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/