LAST year, when The Northern Echo broke the news of plans to create a multi-million visitor attraction in Bishop Auckland, we asked: “Can Bishop Auckland and its struggling local economy afford not to embrace such an imaginative and ambitious vision?”

Next month county councillors will consider a report on the first phase of the scheme – a £24m project to create a dramatic sound-and-light show celebrating 2,000 years of history as seen through the eyes of the North-East.

If it goes ahead the Eleven Arches scheme will pave the way for a hugely ambitious project which promises to transform the fortunes one of the hardest-hit towns in County Durham and create an international tourist attraction of which the North-East can be proud.

The man behind the plan – multi-million philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer – has already done the Bishop Auckland area proud by stepping in to save Auckland Castle, and its historic collection of Zurbaran paintings, when we revealed the Church Commissioners were secretly plotting to sell it.

Planners agree that the scheme represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something truly spectacular.

But they have raised concerns over the noise impact on 40 homes and potential disruption to local bat colonies.

As a consequence they are urging local councillors to reject the application when it comes before them.

In the past decade Bishop Auckland's commercial centre has been hollowed out. The High Street names have gone; even the fast-food restaurants have quit. The town is a pathetic shadow of its former self.

The Eleven Arches projects offers a golden opportunity to stop the rot. We do not seek to trivialise the noise impact of a night show – or the nocturnal habits of bats – but the potential of the Eleven Arches project is too important to give up so easily.