A NEW heritage centre is being proposed for Ferryhill.

Karen Younghusband, on behalf of Ferryhill Town Council, has submitted plans to Durham County Council to make a change of use from a storage building to a heritage centre at The Bungalow, in the town's Dean Bank park.

Associated extensions and external alterations are also included in the application, which was submitted in March and validated on August 8.

In the application, Ms Younghusband said the building was previously occupied by the park's caretaker but is currently used for storage as well as a rest room for the town council's staff working at the park.

If the plans are approved, volunteers will then run the building and a part-time member of staff will be employed.

She said: "It is proposed that the bungalow be renovated and extended to bring it back into use as a heritage centre, which is to be run by the Ferryhill History Society and volunteers under the supervision of Ferryhill Town Council ,who own the building, and to provide a practice base for Ferryhill Town Band.

"The building will incorporate storage room and kitchen facility with toilets. The building will not be run as a business but as a non-profit making facility for the benefit of the public and visitors alike including local schools.

"It is also proposed that the land at the rear of the bungalow be resurfaced to provide a small car park for visitors to the centre."

The application is currently pending consideration.

To view the plans visit publicaccess.durham.gov.uk and search for application reference DM/18/00849/FPA.