PLANS for a £1m community arcade with a grass roof and solar panels have been approved.

The innovative scheme, which is the result of months of hard work by the New Shildon Residents' Association, has been praised by planning bosses, who gave it their support.

Charlie Walters, planning officer for Sedgefield Borough Council, told members of the council's development control committee that the residents' association needed to be praised for all the hard work it had put into the plans.

He said: "It has taken quite a while to get to this point and trying to identify a possible site. It is a very sustainable building, a very modern building. I think they should be applauded.''

Coun Frank Timmiss, of Shildon, also welcomed the plans.

He said: "I think it's brilliant and it comes at a time when they are looking at building 100 houses in the area.''

Chairman of the residents' association David Snell said said: "There's been a great demand for the facilities that this arcade is providing.

"We have had a lot of support from the community and a lot of support from Sedgefield Borough Council.

"We are now looking at different ways of raising the money. It is going to cost around £1m. We are applying for capital funding and will also be looking at applying for lottery funding.''

The association wanted to create a building that was as environmentally conscious as possible and have incorporated a grass roof and solar paneling.

The centre, which will be situated between Maddison Street and Chapel Street, will also have two retail units and include doctors and veterinary surgeries as well as office facilities, a cafe, creche and parking.