AN EAST Durham town’s cricket pavilion is being replaced after it was destroyed by fire.

Durham County Council planning officers have granted permission for a new sports and cricket pavilion in Town Park, Stockton Road, Seaham.

The new home for the Seaham Park Cricket Club will include a function room and bar areas, along with changing areas and ancillary accommodation.

The site is located to the east of the existing cricket playing area.

Paul Fletcher, deputy town clerk with responsibility for leisure and amenities, said: "It is a very welcomed return of a community facility.

“This will be much better than the previous facility. It will be multi-use and all different sporting clubs will be able to take advantage of the building.

“This will be further improved as it is expected that this facility will be extended to link up with the existing football club changing rooms and spectator stand.”

The area of land between the proposed cricket pavilion and the football stands is at present landscaped to grass, and underused.

It is expected that with the development of the new pavilion this area will provide for a floodlit all-weather sports surface for sports such as basketball, tennis, hockey and rugby sevens.

The development drew objections from residents, who complained that work had started before a planning application had been submitted.

Mr Fletcher said building had begun after an external architect approached planning officers, who were of the opinion it was permitted development.

But following objections to the building they went back and recalculated things and decided it would need full planning approval, which has now been granted, he added.

The building is expected to be completed by the beginning of the cricket season in mid-April.