A FORMER farm which was turned into a hotel has been given permission to open a leisure and fitness centre.

The Jersey Farm Hotel, near Barnard Castle, has been given approval by Teesdale District Council to build a single-storey extension which will include a swimming pool, beauty facilities, a gymnasium and restaurant.

The proposal was welcomed by members of the authority's development control committee, who said the scheme would give residents in Teesdale an excellent leisure facility.

Councillor Peter Stubbs said the hotel had gone from strength to strength over the years, and a leisure centre would be a real boost for people in the dale.

He said: "I think this is an excellent application and I would certainly support it, because it is a real bonus for the area."

His comments were echoed by other members, including Councillor Jo Fergus, who said: "The Jersey Farm is virtually the only hotel in Barnard Castle, and moreover it would be wrong to impose any conditions that restrict the centre from allowing only residents at the hotel to use it."

However, Councillor Ken Hodgson said the centre should not be open to the public, because a council-run swimming pool in Barnard Castle was more than adequate.