A 'WISH list' of ambitious plans for the future of a County Durham market town have been put forward.

A new bus station, redevelopment of old shops and more car parking, restaurants and cultural events are just some of the proposals being put forward to help regenerate Bishop Auckland through a new masterplan.

And residents, businesses and other groups got the chance to see the latest proposals for the themselves at a drop-in event in the town hall on Monday.

The event was organised by the Brighter Bishop Auckland Partnership, chaired by the bishop of Durham, The Rt Reverend Paul Butler.

The partnership comprises statutory, voluntary and community agencies namely Durham County Council, Auckland Castle Trust, Eleven Arches, South Durham Enterprise Agency, Bishop Auckland College, Bishop Auckland Town Council and Historic England.

The body was set up to bring about and co-ordinate development to improve economic performance while maintaining the integrity of its heritage and social and spiritual life.

The event was the latest phase of the consultation followed which began last year by asking residents what their main wishes were for the town.

Feedback at the time from more than 750 participants included priorities such as making use of empty shop units and buildings in the town was paramount.

And in response, the partnership has come up with initial opportunities for each part of the town centre with timescales ranging from nought to 20 years.

Some improvements such as reinvigorating Fore Bondage, improving links between different areas in the town and reviving shop fronts and the "neglected" Kingsway street have all been estimated to take between nought and five years.

Other proposals such as providing modern shops and car parks and building a new bus station could take between five and ten years.

Meanwhile, longer-term projects include landscaping and creating recreational areas near the river and new housing could take more than ten years.

Residents at the latest drop-in session praised the plans and said they hoped they would come to fruition.

Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Dave Fleming, also backed the proposals. He said: “This is an exciting time for Bishop Auckland. I would urge people to participate in the consultation so they can help influence future priorities for the town centre."

Clive Auld, a member of the Bishop Auckland Town Team, also attended the event and said it was "very exciting" and the team were pleased to be involved.

Councillor Carl Marshall, the council's cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “The proposals in the masterplan are our initial suggestions which we are asking the public to comment on."

"All residents can have their say by completing the survey online or by picking up paper copies from various locations in the town.”

The survey will be available online until August 20, with paper copies available at locations in the town including the Town Hall and Four Clocks Centre. For more visit durham.gov.uk/brighterbishopauckland