9:39pm Thursday 20th November 2008
By Bessie Robinson
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.
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
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