Durham ice rink scheme needs developer

Development agency One North East, which sealed a multi-million pound deal to buy the former Durham Wasps ice rink site last year, is advertising for potential developers to come forward.

A spokesman said: “We have just begun the search for a development partner for this site and are hopeful that this scheme will move forward in the near future.”

The riverside site was home to the hugely successful Wasps until the club left Durham in 1996, after they were bought by former Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall.

It was reopened as Kascada Bowl and a health centre in 1997, but the 20-lane alley closed in August last year.

There has been much controversy over several years about what should be done with the area.

A £20m plan to build apartments, offices and an underground car park was rejected in 2006 after a public inquiry.

One North East’s advertisement appeals for a developer to work with the agency, regeneration group Durham City Vision and National Savings and Investments (NSI), currently based across the River Wear at Milburngate House, to draw up plans for a commercial and/or mixed-use development.

The lease for Milburngate House expires in 2014, and it is thought NSI is interested in moving to the ice rink site.

Roberta Blackman-Woods, the Labour MP for Durham City, said she wanted a mixed use, and would hold a public meeting to discuss residents’ ideas soon.

She said: “I think most people would ideally like to see some leisure use incorporated into the plans. What is of primary importance is the sensitivity of the design and the quality of the build.

“We need to ensure good quality build because of the site’s location in the conservation area and because of the proximity to and eyelines from the World Heritage Site.”

Liberal Democrat councillor David Freeman, whose ward includes the site, said some cultural or leisure use should be included, adding the area could not cope with more cars brought in by extra offices.