Councillors defied their officers’s advice at this month’s County Council Planning Committee in order to give the £27m Eleven Arches Night Show the green light.
Officers had recommended the project be refused planning but councillors decided to give the plans to go ahead after news of the advice sparked public outrage.
Now the multi-million pound project can move ahead in earnest with the promise of attracting thousands of visitors and creating hundreds of jobs as a result.
The project is now looking for up to 1,000 volunteers to help create the most spectacular night time show in the country each summer.
Anne-Isabelle Daulon, who is leading the Eleven Arches project, said aspiring volunteers would make all the difference between delivering a “successful show and a truly inspirational show” that will put Bishop Auckland on the tourist map.
Ms Daulon, Chief Executive Officer of Eleven Arches, said: “We want to make sure the Eleven Arches night spectacular is the very best it can be and volunteers will be central to creating the polished, powerful and evocative production we will be premiering next summer.
“Eleven Arches is about showcasing the very best of Bishop Auckland and the North East to a national and international audience, and how better to do that than through the genuine passion, enthusiasm, warmth and friendliness of volunteers who are committed to their town.”
The engaging family orientated entertainment, which will bring to life 2,000 years of British history as seen through the eyes of the North East, will play out against the magnificent backdrop of medieval Auckland Castle’s St Peter’s Chapel on a vast 7.5 acre stage on the banks of the River Wear.
The show will cater for an audience capacity of 8,000 on a 7.5 acre stage and will debuting in June 2016. Eleven Arches is expected to stage up to 30 night shows annually.
The volunteers – who will be professionally trained – will make up both the cast and crew, all of whom will be of equal importance to its success.
Local MP, Helen Goodman, welcome the decision to give the go ahead saying: “I welcome the decision by Durham County Council to grant planning permission for this exciting scheme.
“This project has the potential to offer a real economic boost to the town and attract new visitors from across the region, the country and even internationally. This will be a unique attraction which will generate much needed employment and income for Bishop Auckland.”
“During the planning process concerns have been expressed by local residents and I hope that everyone can work together to address some of those concerns. I will be working to ensure they do and that everyone gets to share in the benefits that this scheme could bring.”
Plans also include the creation of the Eleven Arches Academy which will train 300 young volunteers annually in the key skills needed for the Night Show and ensure its longevity and professionalism.
Roles involve everything from the cast to technical crew, pyrotechnics, security, first aid, landscape, costume, set and prop making, visitor services, equine care and horse riding.
Eleven Arches is modelled on Puy du Fou’s own night show which has been watched by an international audience of more than 10 million people in the last 37 years.
The overall effect of Eleven Arches is expected to have a total net impact of 390 full time equivalent jobs at local and 492 at regional level.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
