A new developer, independent of the current Tindale Crescent site, has come forward with plans to build a substantial retail and leisure complex, which will include a multi-screen cinema at St Helen Auckland. The 24-acre derelict site stretches from behind the Tindale Crossing Pub to opposite the Bishop Auckland FC stadium.
John Goode, of Land Planning Partnership, who have purchased the site, is expecting to submit the initial planning application by this week.
He predicts that the first phase of the project, which will include the cinema complex, could be open by mid to late 2014.
Craig Kipling of Create Architecture, a partner in the development, says that a number of major retailers have already been approached, who have expressed an interest in the development subject to planning permission being obtained.
The site partners held a public consultation at Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland’s football ground earlier in the week, which saw a steady stream of visitors, all of whom were overwhelmingly supportive of the development, and in particular the cinema development.
A similar, £40m development has recently been earmarked for Darlington, but Kipling does not see it as detrimental to the prospects for a similar site in Bishop Auckland: “It’s a different catchment area,” he says, “and roughly similar in size to Darlington. Anyone travelling across the Teesdale area would be passing Bishop Auckland on their way, so a development here makes sense.”
Goode is encouraged by the positive reaction to the plans from visitors: “It is very useful for us to get local comments, which to date have been very supportive and give us further ideas as to what people want to see in the development. But clearly there is a great desire to see a cinema as part of that.”
As well as the cinema, the development is expected to include shops, a bowling alley, laser quest and restaurants.
The partners feel that the development would also be a benefit for the town as a whole, complimenting current plans for the town centre’s future.
Goode explained, “It’s not a ‘them and us’ scenario in terms of the town centre. The town centre would not be able to accommodate the plans for this site; a cinema, large retailers, restaurants and the necessary parking space simply wouldn’t physically fit in the town centre.
“But there are plans in place to regenerate the town centre too, focussing on the heritage of the town, and we see this as complimentary to those plans.
“Generally, I think this plan is good for the town centre as it brings new jobs and investment into the whole area, which will provide the revenues needed to assist with the regeneration of the town centre.”
For more information, and to sign up for regular e-newsletter updates the developers have created a website at www.bishopaucklandretailpark.co.uk
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
