PLANS to extend an angling club have been approved by councillors, despite protests from nearby villagers.

Bishop Auckland District Angling Club was granted planning permission to construct a club house and car park at Wadsworth Fishery, Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland.

The development is part of a scheme by the club to create a regional angling centre for the North-East, as part of the National Angling Development Plan which is backed by Sports Minister Tessa Jowell.

Wear Valley District Council's development control committee approved the plans for a two-storey building with storage and office space, a kitchen and lavatories, a function room and classroom.

But people living in Witton Park are concerned that the extension to the club will cause increased noise and pollution in the village and detract from the natural beauty of the area.

A club spokesman pointed out that the club was responsible for reviving the site by developing fishing lakes out of old gravel workings and planting more than 6,000 trees since 1996.

It is creating two lakes on the south bank of the River Wear, and will install footpaths and access ramps to allow easier access for disabled visitors.

Ward councillor Derek Jago did not vote on the scheme because he is acting chairman of a community partnership scheme which will help to run the Paradise Project, an environmental and wildlife conservation scheme proposed for the area.

He said: "I'm concerned that the extension and extra visitors will disturb wildlife such as roe deer and otters.

"I also think it will bring too much traffic through the village, which only has a railway bridge for access."

Dale Daniel, secretary of Witton Park Community Association, is most concerned that the only access road to the site would be inadequate in an emergency.

He said: "I don't believe a fire engine could get to the club, which could have up to 500 people in at any time.

"Safety must be paramount, so these plans should not have been approved until that was assured."