A COUNTRY pub/restaurant on the outskirts of Durham is to be demolished and re-built to give it a more traditional farmhouse feel.

The Newton Grange opened as a pub/hotel in a converted farmhouse, with adjoining car park, just north of Newton Hall, in 1985.

It has since undergone several extensions, but owner, Pathfinder Pubs, believes more can be made of the setting and is investing £1.5m.

The Wolverhampton-based firm applied to demolish the existing building and build a new pub/restaurant in its place.

It will be styled on a local farmhouse but will be more compact than the existing buildings.

The main two-storey building, facing the Finchale Road roundabout, will be constructed of red brick, with a slate roof, while an adjoining single-storey section is to be stone-built.

There will be a patio with terrace seating, and the plans will also see a new access area on to the site, with 50 parking spaces.

Despite objections over potential disturbance for residents on nearby Newton Hall estate, Durham City Council granted planning approval, as the nearest property is more than 50 metres from the site.

Senior planning officer Peter Herbert said it would also have no adverse effect on the Green Belt north of Durham.

The city council's development control committee granted planning approval with a number of conditions. There is also a proviso that it should not stay open to customers later than 11.30pm.

Ed Hancock, Pathfinder's estates director, said: "It has been designed to complement existing Durham architecture. Built to look like a traditional farmhouse, the new pub will be a significant improvement."

He added that the development would create up to 40 jobs.