THE regeneration of a run-down former mining town is gathering pace, with plans to overhaul two of its eyesores.

Planners have agreed proposals for 114 houses on the former Murray Park greyhound stadium, in Stanley.

Bosses at Derwentside District Council said a planning application to redevelop the town centre bus station could be submitted within weeks.

The Murray Park brownfield site has been derelict since it closed in December 1994, after 57 years of racing.

Councillor Alex Watson, leader of the district council, said: "It is what Stanley needs and is another contributing factor to the regeneration of the town.

"Murray Park is part of the gateway to the town centre and its redevelopment has always been an integral part of our plans."

The site stretches back from Stanley High Street and will see homes built on a children's playground on Park Avenue. The developer has promised a commuted sum of more than £34,000 towards play provision in the area and the district council is already planning to upgrade facilities at the nearby Kings Head site.

A further £1m is being ploughed into the redevelopment of the town's Mary Street bus station. Plans include building a bus station on Mary Street car park and creating a shopping mall on the station site.

It also involves knocking down up to five buildings in the town's main shopping area of Front Street. These include the post office, an estate agent's, a bookmakers and a charity shop. The units would be bulldozed to make better pedestrian access from the bus station to Front Street.

Coun Watson said a planning application for the main site could be submitted within weeks.

"We hope to get the builders on site by January," he said. "Things are really starting to hot up and move forward. Stanley has super access to the A1 and it is easy to commute to places like Newcastle and Durham.

"A house in Stanley can be purchased for two-thirds of the price of a similar property anywhere else on the A1 corridor."

The proposals are the latest in a series of developments for Stanley. The town's new swimming baths and gym are due to open later this year and work is under way on a £1m centre for Sure Start Stanley, in Clifford Road.