APPROVAL of controversial plans to turn open grassland into a temporary car park was last night welcomed by civic leaders.

But Durham City Council must win the blessing of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) after a public inquiry, which is necessary because of opposition to the development of common land, known as The Sands.

The council wants to tarmac 9,500-square metres of The Sands, alongside the River Wear, and install lighting and ticket machines to provide 340-parking spaces for a maximum of two years.

The plan was approved by members of its development control committee at a packed meeting.

The scheme, a temporary measure, is considered vital to the city economy as work is due to start on the development of the Walkergate site in April, leading to the loss of about 400 parking spaces.

Once the Walkergate scheme is completed, it will include a 500-space multi-storey car park, allowing The Sands to be restored to grassland.

The proposals have attracted opposition from residents in The Sands area, and from Durham's Labour MP, Gerry Steinberg, who has criticised the Liberal-Democrat leadership of the city council for failing to pin-point a more suitable alternative site for parking.

Councillor Grenville Holland, deputy city council lead-er, said there were several safeguards in the plans, including the public inquiry, and the council hoped that a smaller proportion of The Sands would be required for car parking.

He said: "There is an absolute commitment by this council to restore any part of The Sands that is put to temporary use as a car park."

Colin Wilkes, managing director of Durham Indoor Markets, welcomed the council's decision.

"I'm delighted for the traders that we've got this initial approval and the prospect of a replacement car park.

"It's now a common land issue, whether we plan to have one or 400 cars parked there, and we'll have to go through an inquiry.

"I just hope Defra settle as quickly as possible as it's vital we get these parking spaces."

The Mayor of Durham, Councillor Ray Gibbon, said the open land could be suitably returned to grassland, given similar restoration of a car park at Sniperley roundabout, while work was on-going building the University Hospital of North Durham.