A COUNCILLOR has welcomed plans to build the first retirement village outside Darlington.

Permission has been given to build leisure facilities at the Middleton Hall site, in Middleton St George.

Developers say the creation of a swimming pool, gym, cafe, shop and hairdressing salon for residents and visitors will form the North-East's first retirement village.

The £500,000 development comes after the recent opening of 29 one and two-bedroomed apartments, known as Middleton Woods, at the 30-acre estate.

Middleton Hall also offers assisted living suites, residential care studios and care rooms for highly-dependent clients.

Managing director Jeremy Walford said the leisure and retail services would be the icing on the cake for residents, staff and visitors.

He said: "They are the final ingredients needed for us to create a real village community feel.

"Our aim is to provide everything that any of our residents require without leaving the grounds - from drinks at the bar to beauty treatments, Sunday lunch to a swim, and internet access to a parkland stroll."

Work will begin later this year on the leisure development, which will include a gym, jacuzzi and a ten-metre indoor pool with a paddling pool for non-swimmers and visiting children.

The Healthy Living Centre will be run by a specialist who will develop personal fitness programmes.

Local ward councillor Doris Jones said the expansion would be welcome.

She said: "I think it's an absolutely fantastic facility.

"They are caring for residents who are very healthy and active and who lead a full life.

"These are lovely leisure facilities and the residents will be able to keep active without leaving the village.

"The way they're looked after there, they'll live to be 200.

"A lot of the people who are down to buy the new apartments already live in the village and so they're not having to move out."