PLANS for a major development at one of the North-East’s most popular tourist attractions are to be discussed by councillors.

Beamish Museum has submitted an application for its £17m expansion scheme to Durham County Council.

A decision on the project, which includes creating a 1950’s town, is expected to be made by Easter.

The plan also includes the creation of an authentic Georgian coaching inn, with 17 bedrooms, where visitors can stay overnight for the first time in the museum’s history.

Richard Evans, director of Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, in County Durham, said: “The idea is we are building a museum exhibit that people can sleep in. It is not going to feel any different from the way do things at the moment, but it will be a completely immersive experience.

“From speaking to our visitors we know they really like the idea and we often get asked if people can stay overnight.

“It will be full of our collections from that period and it will tell the story of the Great North Road.”

Transporting visitors back almost 200 years, the 1820s area will also have a windmill, pottery, blacksmiths, candle house, lime kiln and heather thatched cottage.

In the 50’s area there will be a trolleybus and a cinema, which is being moved from Ryhope in Sunderland, cafe, shops, and houses, including a replica of pitman painter Norman Cornish’s Spennymoor home.

There will also be a replica of aged miners’ homes from South Shields will be a dedicated centre for people living with dementia and their families and carers and a replica of Leeholme Welfare Hall, near Bishop Auckland.

Mr Evans said: “It is probably the single largest investment that Beamish has ever had in its 40 years in one go.

“It includes more than 20 exhibits across the site that will enable us to continue to tell the story of everyday life in the region, both in the founding period of the early 19th century, but also bringing us more up to date with the 1950s.

“It is a really exciting development for us and a really significant one for us in the history of the museum.”

The Remaking Beamish project is expected to create 95 new jobs, 50 apprenticeships and boosting the region’s economy by attracting a further tourists by 100,000 a year.

Stephen Reed, planning development manager at Durham County Council, said: “The application will be considered by the County Planning Committee.

“They will take into account a number of factors in reaching a decision, including the potential impact on tourism and the surrounding area.”