A hotel, which is currently closed for redevelopment, has plans to create a pizza-baking pavilion, as well as a pergola to allow outdoor seating all year round.

The Park Head Hotel, in New Coundon, Bishop Auckland, is undergoing a full renovation and is due to open in January 2023.

A current planning application, submitted to Durham County Council, is for a pizza baking pavilion and open sided pergola to rear; two windows in east facing elevation and 1.1m high pedestrian barrier opposite existing fire escape to front.

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This application seeks to enhance the outdoor beer garden by introducing a new open air pizza pavilion to house a traditional hand built clay pizza oven and associated facilities. A new modern pergola open sided and with a flat roof which can open or close to suit the weather conditions.

In addition, in the main building there two new windows, one in a new opening and one to replace an existing staff entrance door no longer required. They will facilitate the internal reorganisation of the hotel to provide additional ground floor en suite bedrooms as part of the hotel refurbishment.

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We have also included in the proposal for a pedestrian barrier opposite the existing fire escape opening out on to the main public footpath along the A688. The aim is to provide additional safety controls between the highway and guests escaping in the event of a fire.

This is an existing fire escape from the old function suite and restaurant.

A design statement reads: "Our assessment of the site and existing building features and constraints has informed the initial conceptual response shown.

"The design provides a low key single storey shelter partially enclosed for the pizza oven.

"It’s orientation and design looks inward within the site to minimise any visual or acoustic intrusion.

"It is envisaged the pizza venue will operate approximately two days per week over the summer months and of course subject to the weather conditions.

"It will serve guests and visitors in an al fresco manner as a seasonal variation to the main restaurant facilities in the hotel.

"The seating area of the former beer garden is retained and benefits from a more corralled environment .

"The new proposed windows will have views towards the outdoor space, currently overlooked by the existing bedrooms in the courtyard building."

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