A GOLF driving range will open in Bishop Auckland by the end of the year after councillors agreed plans for the site.

Proposals for the 14-bay range at Flatts Farm were approved by Wear Valley District Council's development control committee on Thursday.

Brothers Allan and Joe Barker, joint owners of the Castle Hotel pub, in Bishop Auckland, and Lee Ellison, also from the town, are behind the scheme.

Allan played for Newcastle United in the 1970s and Lee played for Darlington in the early 1990s.

Investors hope the driving range will be just the first stage in the development of the 120-acre site, on the north bank of the River Wear.

It could pave the way for a nine or 18-hole golf course, which would be named Eleven Arches after Newton Cap Bridge which overlooks the site.

Allan Barker said: "We did not want to tempt fate but laid grass on the driving range site. We are thrilled to get permission so there is only really the bays and office to build before we open.

"At the same time, we'll draw up plans for the rest of the site which could cost around £1,000,000."

He hopes that if the scheme goes ahead, between 40 and 50 jobs would be created.

Mr Barker said: "Everyone behind the scheme is local, so it's important to us to consider the area and community.

"Golf is one of the world's fastest-growing sports, yet people in Wear Valley do not have a driving range to practise all year round. The council has acknowledged that by approving our plans and we want to offer that facility.

"We also plan to offer free lessons for schoolchildren, maybe Wear Valley could be home to the next Tiger Woods.

"Hedgerow and native trees will be planted across the course to enhance the area rather than radically change it."

Work has already started to renovate three of the site's seven existing stone buildings, cottages to be leased out. A former barn could be converted into a club house.

Councillor John Ferguson, who represents West Auckland on Wear Valley District Council, said: "At the moment, people have to travel away from Wear Valley to participate in a popular pass-time, so I feel this will be a useful development."