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Bishop Auckland FC wins planners' backing for Tindale Crescent stadium scheme


FOOTBALL fans were cheering their biggest win of the decade tonight when plans for their long awaited new stadium were approved.

Councillors in Wear Valley, County Durham, gave planning permission for historic Bishop Auckland FC's new ground as part of a £45m shopping and leisure development at Tindale Crescent on the edge of the town.

Development control committee members all voted for the scheme, which will give the area a six-screen cinema, bowling alley and Sainsbury's store on an old factory site.

Senior planner David Townsend had advised members to accept the development which, he said, would benefit the area by bringing people in to Wear Valley without harming Bishop Auckland town centre or existing supermarkets Morrisons and Asda.

"Our football club has a long heritage and I would hate to see it go by the board."

Colin Mairs

West Auckland councillor Colin Mairs said: "This is the best thing that could happen in the area.

"Our football club has a long heritage and I would hate to see it go by the board."

The committe all voted for the scheme, although final approval is needed from Government North East becasue the proposal is contrary to the Wear Valley Distirct Local Plan and because of the size of the Sainsbury's store.

* For a full report see The Northern Echo tomorrow

Comments(10)

J.Moffatt says...
11:17pm Thu 20 Nov 08

At last the Bishops are coming home,footballs coming home.Great news,well done all involved.

smally says...
12:07am Fri 21 Nov 08

its alright for some innit theres guna be another 300 people on the dole including me because of this!!! no fort at all for the people who have got families to provide for

jabdc5 says...
12:17am Fri 21 Nov 08

there'll be jobs going at Sainsbury's Smally......try applying for one instead of whinging.

Manor says...
5:52am Fri 21 Nov 08

What a crazy decision, low paid jobs at a KFC and a Sainsburys instead of quality, skilled manufacturing jobs. Do you want your kids growing up selling burgers or stacking shelves, because I don't!!! The lunatics have taken over the asylum!!! The area in question is so deprived that people won't be able to afford Sainsburys or go to the Cinema!!! This decision shows why this country’s in the state it's in.

liketotalk says...
9:29am Fri 21 Nov 08

Lets face it all of this agro hasnt been about if the community get the development it has been about one thing and thats FOOTBALL.I fully understand how passionate the people are out about the football club. How will the fans feel if this long established company (ebac) has to close and can no longer offer the financial support that it has provided to the team and community for years???? Lets think about the lives of all the company employees where will we find jobs in this area?? It frightens me to think that we really are one of the only surviving companies who are dedicated to Bishop Auckland, and as and employee I feel that it is only us that seem thinking about that! I guess many people in the area will know of somebody that works for the company and I ask you to think about the impact the loss of a job might have on them!Life aint all about recreation its about keeping our heads above water in a very difficult time.

private98 says...
9:42am Fri 21 Nov 08

you cannot blame this development for what happens to ebac.it has been in the pipeline for years and most people in this "deprived area" welcome it.mr elliott wanted to build houses on it not so long ago how would people in the "deprived area" have afforded them?he just out to make as much as much money as he can from the land and using the job situation as a smokescreen.

private98 says...
9:46am Fri 21 Nov 08

well said richinbish.my thoughts exactly.

fylands says...
10:21am Fri 21 Nov 08

well done terrace hill.this is the best thing thats happened for a long time.as for manors comments this is not a deprived area.it would be if everybody was like you.when he moves his factory abroad like he said he may have there will be jobs going foryou.as for the lunatics taking over the asylum its up to you if thats where you wish to work.after all if you read john elliots web site he is not a fan of education.best of luck you may need it

supergran says...
11:10am Fri 21 Nov 08

At last some common sense from WVDC this is the best thing to happen in the area in a long time. As for John Elliot if he thinks that much about Bishop he will still build his new factory and put his money where his mouth is.

fylands says...
9:24am Sat 22 Nov 08

where is john elliots response to his failed plot,or is he scheming against somebody else.


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