A decade after it was first proposed — and four years after it was granted outline planning permission — the controversial expansion of a County Durham retail park is about to start. And the go-ahead has been welcomed by a local MP.
Despite concerns over the potential impact on shops in nearby Seaham and Peterlee, the Government decided not to intervene when a 2011 application was made for a multi-million pound upgrade to Dalton Park, near Murton.
The extension plans were backed by a huge community campaign, but opposed by Peterlee’s Castle Dene shopping centre and supermarket giant Tesco. Since then the retailer has shelved its plans for a nearby store and the Peterlee scheme has been abandoned.
Now, work to add a seven-screen Cineworld cinema, a Morrisons supermarket, a KFC drive-through restaurant and a hotel to the retail park will finally start this spring. The 12-month project, which will ultimately generate up to 1,000 new jobs, is already set for an official May Day opening next year.
“This has been a complex development due to the number of organisations and brands involved, each with individual requirements, which has contributed to the later than conceived start date,” explained a spokesman for owners Peveril Securities.
“With build go-ahead now confirmed, Dalton Park wishes to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the many supporters, both locally and region-wide for their continued commitment and interest in the future of the outlet and phase two developments.”
Built on the site of colliery slag heaps, the complex was first opened in 2003 and now has more than 60 stores including anchor outlet-style tenants Marks & Spencer, Next Clearance, Gap, Adidas and New Balance. Among its seven eateries are McDonald’s and Starbucks, with Frankie & Benny’s and Prezzo among the new signings.
Jerry Hatch is general manager of outlets at Knight Frank, which manages Dalton Park. “Now we are finally underway, phase two will be a tremendous addition to the community and the region,” he said.
“Not only will it enhance our current retail offer and provide a fantastic range of leisure and service facilities for visitors, it will provide a significant number of new jobs thereby continuing our investment in local regeneration.”
Easington MP, Grahame Morris, was one of the first local politicians to back the Dalton Park upgrade. “This has been a long time coming and follows years of campaigning and fighting by the local community to boost our economy and secure vital jobs,” he commented. “It has had to overcome every barrier imaginable, but the benefits will be felt across all of east Durham.”
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