REVISED plans have been submitted to build a disabled access ramp at the front of Barnard Castle's Witham Hall.

The access ramp is being built as part of £6m redevelopment of the building.

Teesdale District Council has approved plans for most of the development, which will include a 176-seat theatre, a cafe, dance hall and technology suite, but final approval has yet to be given for the access ramp.

When the application was first considered in March, the ramp was criticised for being too large and out of character with the street.

Amended plans have been submitted, reducing the length of the ramp and widening the pavement to allow more room between the ramp and the curb.

Principal planning officer Trevor Watson was initially delegated to approve the amended details of the access ramp, but said he might refer it back to the planning committee.

He said: "The plans are rather more far-reaching than I anticipated, and I need to see whether I feel I can decide the application or to bring it to the committee."

The widening of the footpath would involve narrowing the slip-road that runs alongside the Witham Hall.

A letter from Peter Harris, an associate director of Cassidy and Ashton Architects and Building Surveyors, to Durham County Council's traffic section, said an exterior ramp was the only practical way to provide disabled access.

Barnard Castle town council has been asked for its views on the design and are due to discuss the issue on Monday, at 6.45pm.