A LONG-AWAITED shopping centre redevelopment has moved a significant step closer, after a council agreed to open talks with the site's owners over buying extra land.

Wear Valley District Council officers will meet representatives from Ravenhill Estates Limited to discuss the future of the Newgate Shopping Centre, in Bishop Auckland.

The Irish developers bought the centre for £13m in June last year, and plan to expand the centre into an area currently occupied by the town's bus station, as well as expanding the site's parking space.

But the council owns the leasehold on the car park and the bus station, and Ravenhill has inquired about purchasing both to begin the development.

Bob Hope, director of regeneration, said that the fact that Ravenhill wished to open talks was a positive step.

Speaking at a meeting of the council's policy and strategic development committee last week, he said: "These proposals are to be encouraged."

Councillor Charlie Kay, deputy leader of the council, said: "Without doubt, should it come to fruition, this will be one of the most significant redevelopments Bishop Auckland has ever seen.

"It's vital to the town centre.

We have talked about this for a long time and it's time this moved on to the next level - Bishop Auckland needs it and Wear Valley needs it."

The redevelopment of the Newgate Centre is a critical element of the Red Box master plan proposals for the town centre.

The plan, drawn up in 2004, identifies the opportunity for expansion of retail floor space into and including the redevelopment and enhancement of the bus station.

Councillor Geoff Mowbray said: "I think it's part of Bishop Auckland's renaissance that is well overdue."

Councillor Vince Perkins said: "It is about time things started moving. People are starting to ask questions."

One such question had come from traders in Fore Bondgate, who were concerned that the new development could restrict access to the cobbled street, which runs behind the centre.

But Councillor Dorothy Burn, who raised the issue on their behalf, was assured that this would not be the case and that more routes to the street could be provided.

Ravenhill Estates Limited could not be contacted for comment last night.