PLANS for a £500,000 youth centre have been recommended for approval despite objections from a town council.

Teesdale District Council's planning committee has been recommended to grant planning permission for the Teesdale Community Resources building in Barnard Castle.

The youth centre, which would be on land adjacent to the sports centre in Strathmore Road, would replace facilities in Birch Road.

The proposed centre would have four dormitories, a dance and performance space, offices, a lounge/dining room, a kitchen, music studio and a soundproof room, as well as a toilet, showers and garage space.

Barnard Castle Town Council objected to the plans because it felt it was providing residential accommodation in a non-residential area.

But in a report to district councillors, planning officer Wendy Thompson said: "It is considered that this use is ancillary to the main use of the building and that the occupation of the accommodation would be by groups under strictly controlled supervision.

"It is not expected that the partial residential use of this building would actually have any significant impact on the surrounding area."

She also asked that conditions restricting the use of the building after 10pm be imposed.

The planning committee will discuss the application when they meet on Wednesday.