PLANS for permanent floodlighting at the North-East’s only Test cricket ground were unanimously approved by councillors today (Thursday, April 30) in the face of strong objections from residents.

Durham Durham County Cricket Club was given permission for six 55-metre pylons, at its Emirates International ground, at Chester-le-Street - securing the way to staging the next World Cup, in 2019, as well as future day/night one-day internationals.

The plans attracted more than 113 objections - including from the Earl of Scarborough who owns nearby Lumley Castle. They feared the lights would dominate the skyline and blight views across the River Wear.

But councillors were told the plans would attract about 17,500 additional spectators each year, spending an average of £100 each and generating more than a £1m to the local economy.

Members of Durham County Council’s planning committee meeting agreed the economic benefits outweighed any detrimental impact the floodlights would have.

Calling the proposals "a winner", Cllr James Cordon said: “These plans should proceed without delay.

“Durham County Cricket club makes a hefty contribution both in sporting excellence and its substantial economic benefit for Chester-le-Street.”

Councillors were told the lights would be used up to 20 evenings per year and would enable the ground to stage high profile day/night fixtures.

Three fixtures at the 12th ICC World Cup have provisionally been allocated to Durham, providing the club meets the ECB criteria.

Permanent lighting would also enable the club to host prestigious domestic events, like T20 finals day, all of which would bring revenue to the town and region with an influx of fans, according to the club.

But objectors claimed the economic benefits had been exaggerated.

Alan Brown, of the Riverside Residents’ Association, told the meeting: “This application will have a detrimental lifetime impact on the visual amenity on an area of County Durham, which is of heritage and high landscape value and adjacent and visible to from the green belt boundary.”

He added while the World Cup may bring prestige to the area, it was unlikely to create a new army of cricket fans.

Durham County Cricket Club chief executive David Harker told the meeting the trend was for floodlit games and Chester-le-Street’s Riverside, was the only international standard cricket stadium in the country without permanent floodlighting.

He said: “Clearly the club is exposed to significant risk if this trend continues and we do not have permanent lights.”

He said the club had to hand back the T20 final which cost the club around £500,000 as it didn't have floodlights.

Planning officers recommended the plans be approved.