DEVELOPERS are altering their plans for a controversial leisure development in the centre of Durham.

Amec plans to change elements of the £21m Walkergate scheme that is part-funding Durham City Council's Millennium City development.

The scheme includes several restaurant/bars, which won licences, despite opposition from residents worried about the possible increase in drunken trouble, and a multiplex cinema, for which an operator is being sought.

Plans for a health club were dropped in favour of an 88-bedroom hotel. Developers are now seeking planning approval for alterations to the layout and design of the scheme.

Durham City Council's development control committee has decided that the firm does not need to produce an environmental impact assessment with the planning application for the proposed changes.