DETAILS have been unveiled for a £1.45m bus station in Stanley, which it is hoped will help regenerate the town.

Stanley's 30-year-old bus station, on the A693 town centre bypass, will be replaced by one sited on the nearby Mary Street car park.

The development will leave more than three acres of land available for redevelopment for retail or leisure, with some on-site parking.

Two properties - including one housing The Northern Echo's Derwentside office -- will have to be demolished to create a new gateway into Front Street.

Derwentside District Council's environmental services director Peter Reynolds said: "The old bus station was regarded as unsightly.

"It is unattractive from the roundabout and the building itself has many sharp corners where people can hide away. People felt unsafe."

The new plans were drawn up following extensive consultations with the community, he said.

Mr Reynolds added: "We wanted something more modern, something which would make a statement and be functional and safe at the same time. The intention was to have as much glass as possible in the new design so people can see in and out of the station.

"It will also be well lit and covered by CCTV."

Mr Reynolds said the gateway, which has run into opposition from some local people, was an integral part of the scheme.

He said: "The existing access to the town centre is a narrow alleyway. One of the principles that the Stanley Regeneration Partnership was very strong on was crime and disorder.

"For safety reasons, and for better access, they wanted to have the main throughfare opened out."

Mr Reynolds said the cost of the link had not been included in the final cost of the development. This will be determined by whether or not the council can acquire the properties, owned by William Hill bookmaker and NS Bennett estate agents, by negotiation or by using compulsory purchase orders.

Mr Reynolds said that, rather than have bare gable walls, the gateway would include a couple of shops.

Store chain Asda has indicated an interest in the land, which would be vacated by the bus station.

TS Bennett estate agents has already lodged an objection to the plan. It did not wish to comment further.