PROPOSALS for a five-storey, 68-bedroom hotel in the shadow of a North-East stadium will go before planners next week.

Phillip Scott has applied for planning permission for the at-least three-star hotel next to the 25,000-seat Northern Echo Arena, home of Darlington Mowden Park rugby club.

Town hall officials are recommending the scheme be approved, despite objections from nearby residents and other hoteliers in the town.

The proposed development, which could create more than 50 jobs, would be the latest phase in the renaissance of the arena, which has been transformed into a community hub since the departure of Darlington FC following a fans' takeover in 2012.

As well as the rugby club, the complex boasts two gyms, a children's nursery and several training pitches.

It was announced last month that the stadium would host the famous New Zealand All Blacks during next year's Rugby World Cup.

If approved, the hotel would be built on a 1.1-acre piece of wasteland between the stadium's east stand and the A66 trunk road.

The application also seeks permission for 69 parking spaces and a landscaped area.

It is stated in the planning application that the hotel could result in the creation of 30 full-time and 28 part-time job opportunities.

Five letters of objection were received by local residents, with another three from hotel owners.

Residents' concerns included a perceived impact on the character an appearance of the surrounding area and the possibility that the development could be a distraction to drivers on the A66.

Hoteliers argue that the 1,338 hotel berths available in Darlington is already more than adequate provision.

A hotel is also planned for the multi-million pound Feethams Leisure development, on which work is due to begin this month.

Another objector added: "Adding another new building adjacent to the stadium, in a green belt area, is not going to be an attraction to tourists, but will simply add to the unattractive landscaping of that area.

"Tourists will not come to Darlington simply because of a hotel."

In a report to members of Darlington Borough Council's planning committee, planning officers say the planned hotel is outside the agreed development limits for the town.

Officers say they feel there is 'sufficient justification' to ignore that policy, but concede: "The case to support the need for another hotel is hard to make."

The committee meets on Wednesday, September 24, at 1.30pm, at the town hall.