THE company behind rejected plans to demolish an arson-hit former hotel and pub in Bishop Auckland to make way for a retail unit have launched an appeal.

North East Convenience Stores wants to redevelop The Aclet site, on Watling Road, by bulldozing the derelict hotel and building a 280sqm Spar convenience store and a 106sqm hot food takeaway in its place.

However, earlier this year Durham County Council’s planning committee turned down the application on the grounds it would attract anti-social behaviour and generate noise and odours which would cause “significant adverse impacts” on neighbouring residents.

This month the applicant lodged an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in the hope of overturning the decision.

Sanjeev Vadhera, director of North East Convenience Stores, said: “North East Convenience Stores are determined to develop the Aclet pub which unfortunately has become an eye-sore for local residents.

“Our intention is to develop a purpose-built community focused convenience store offering local residents quality, convenience, choice and value.

“Not only are we looking to turn this derelict site around but we our intention is to create local jobs and offer a convenience store the locals will be proud to have on their door step.” The company also owns and runs 31 convenience stores across the region.

And if successful in their bid, it is understood the Bishop Auckland proposal would potentially be its biggest development to date.

However, objectors in the town are already hard at work gathering information to submit for the Planning Inspector’s consideration.

Among them is Durham County Council and Bishop Auckland Town Cllr Tanya Tucker.

She told The Northern Echo: “The residents have made it clear in the original planning application that another supermarket is the last thing they want in the middle of their homes.

“They have all the amenities, and choice of supermarkets and corner shops close by.

"They have asked me to help them and I will do so, as the voice of the community in our town should have more power than money.”

Campaigners led a two-year fight against the pub’s closure which culminated in a judge ruling the premises could be sold.

The disused building was gutted by a suspected arson attack on Boxing Day, 2017, and was deemed unsafe.

No appeal hearing date is set.