PLANS for a multi-million pound tourist attraction on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland overcame the final hurdle today when councillors granted a drinks licence for the venture.

Durham County Council’s licensing sub-committee approved Eleven Arches’ application to stage outdoor shows and serve alcohol at the £27m historical attraction that will be built in the shadow of Auckland Castle.

Anne-Isabelle Daulon, chief executive of the Eleven Arches Trust said: “We have got a great team and it is expanding all the time. Now we know the conditions we are working with we can get on with the next stage.”

The licence allows the Trust to stage outdoor entertainment including plays, films, live and recorded music and dance between the hours of 8pm and 11pm from Friday to Sunday between May and September.

It also permits the sale and consumption of alcohol between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Friday, and from 4.00pm to 9.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The park would be open from 7.30pm to midnight on Friday and 4pm to midnight at the weekend.

Inspired by the Puy de Fou theme park in north-west France, Eleven Arches will celebrate 2,000 years of British history from a uniquely North-Eastern perspective.

Volunteers of all ages from the Bishop Auckland area will perform in spectacular sound and light shows at a site.

Speaking at the meeting in Spennymoor council offices, the trust’s barrister, Charles Holland, said the scheme would bring jobs and other economic benefits to the town, adding: “This is not an Alton Towers. The idea is that it is to be integrated into Bishop Auckland.”

Bishop Auckland councillor and cabinet member for safer communities, Joy Allen welcomed the application.

“I believe this will benefit young people in the town,” she said. “There is something for everybody here.”

However, the plans have attracted some criticism with two residents and the council’s Environmental Health department objecting to the licence.

Objections focused on potential noise levels, the sale of alcohol, the movement of visitors’ cars and the limited number of food outlets on the site.

The committee noted these concerns and in granting the licence added conditions. These included the trust installing a telephone complaints line, appointing an acoustic consultant and providing written notice eight weeks prior to the event season. The number of performances will also be staggered starting with 15 next year, 17 in 2017 and 18 from 2018.

Chairperson, Councillor Joyce Maitland said: “We would like to say that if you don’t abide by the conditions you will be back before this committee. However, we wish you good luck and we hope it succeeds.”