THE regeneration of a run-down former mining town is gathering pace, with plans to overhaul two of its eyesores.

Planners have agreed proposals for 114 houses on the former Murray Park greyhound stadium in Stanley. And managers at Derwentside District Council say a planning application to redevelop the town centre bus station could be submitted within weeks.

The Murray Park brownfield site has lain derelict since the stadium closed in December 1994.

District council leader Alex Watson said: "It is what Stanley needs and is another contributing factor to the regeneration of the town. Murray Park is part of the gateway to the town centre and its redevelopment has always been an integral part of our plans."

The site stretches back from Stanley High Street and will see homes built on a children's playground on Park Avenue. The developer has promised £34,000 towards play provision in the area and the district council is already planning to upgrade facilities at the nearby Kings Head site.

A further £1m is being ploughed into the redevelopment of the Mary Street bus station. The plans include building a new bus station on Mary Street car park and redeveloping the existing station site.

Earlier this year the council unveiled plans that showed that up to five buildings in main shopping area of Front Street would be demolished. These included the post office, an estate agent's, a bookmaker's and a charity shop and would be bulldozed to make better pedestrian access from the bus station to Front Street.

Coun Watson said a planning application for the main site could be submitted within weeks.

"We hope to get the builders on site by January," he said. "Things are really starting to hot up and move forward. Stanley has super access to the A1 and it is easy to commute to places like Newcastle and Durham.

"And a house in Stanley can be purchased for two-thirds of the price of a similar property anywhere else on the A1 corridor."

The proposals are the latest in a series of high profile developments for Stanley. The town's new swimming baths and gym is due to open later this year and work is under way on a £1m centre in Clifford Road for Sure Start Stanley.

* Proposals for the town went on show in the Lamplight arts centre this week. Residents can question civic leaders - including MP Kevan Jones - about them at a meeting of the Town Centre Regeneration Group next Tuesday at 6.30pm at the arts centre.

Mr Jones said: "I encourage anyone who has an interest in the future of Stanley town centre to come along and find out what is planned for the town."

Proposals on show include a £5m Durham County Council project to spruce up the library and the social services building, in Front Street.