Plans for Eastgate eco village approved

Sep 30 2009 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

Once complete, a cable car would link the eco-village to an area known as The Tops, where a complex including a cafe, viewing platforms and a bird watching centre are planned.

There will also be facilities for outdoor sports such as mountain biking and dry tobogganing.

Opponents of the scheme fear noise from sporting events and spectators, an “unbearable” increase in traffic, disruption to wildlife, and the creation of what they call a “theme park” in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

But supporters say it could attract thousands of visitors a year.

County councillor John Shuttleworth said: “It was said in the meeting – this is the only show on the road and we have got to get behind it. There have been all sorts of scatterbrained schemes down the years and I have been quite critical of the Weardale Task Force at times.

“But I have come to the conclusion that for the benefit of the whole of Weardale, this is what there is and we’ve just got to get on with it.”

Task force chairman John Hamilton said: “This decision is a major milestone for the regeneration of Weardale. This is a landmark moment and we are delighted.

“The plans will see around 150 new jobs created from business investment and a further 200 jobs within the visitor and hospitality sector to replace those lost when the cement works, the major employer in the Dale, closed in 2002.”