MAJOR developments are being planned at a stately home.

Plans to build a cookery school, visitor centre, more accommodation and cafe at the grade II*-listed Wynyard Hall have been submitted to Stockton Borough Council.

An impressive feature would be a long-heralded walled rose garden which the hall's owner, Sir John Hall, of MetroCentre fame, has previously said could be a rival to the famous gardens at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.

A huge, 2,000 sq m marquee, which could hold major events like Proms in the Park, would also be erected and an existing building would be turned into a management centre.

Sir John, who bought the hall in 1987 and lives there, could not be contacted for comment but has previously said the rose garden could be a leading tourist attraction. The original idea was to plant 100,000 flowers, making it one of the top five rose gardens in the world. Previous estimates for the cost of the garden have ranged between £2m and £4m.

No-one was available for comment at Wynyard Hall, which is partly a luxury hotel and wedding venue as well as the Hall family residence.

Two connected planning applications will be considered by Stockton Borough Council planning committee on Wednesday.

One focuses on a proposal to build a single-storey, 532 sq m cookery school consisting of teaching rooms and accommodation for up to 12 people in three bedrooms.

The other application concentrates on the rose garden and visitor centre which would include a cafe and shop.

A previous, withdrawn, application estimated that between 30,000 and 50,000 people could visit the rose garden a year, but no estimate has been provided this time.

The Environment Agency has objected to the plans because of drainage issues but planners at Stockton Council have recommended approval, providing those issues are dealt with.

English Heritage supported the plans, saying: "The proposal is an interesting take on the typical historical building types once associated with walled gardens. Overall, the proposal suggests a new focus to this underused part of the historic park and garden."

However, some objections have been submitted to the council. Grindon Parish Council has objected because of worries about increased traffic and noise from late-night events. Four members of the public have objected for similar reasons.

Wynyard Hall and Park can trace its history back to 1230 although the current building dates from 1822. It was home to the Londonderry family, once North-East coal mine owners.