RESIDENTS have voiced concerns proposals that turning an upper dale adventure centre into a luxury wedding venue will create parking problems.
Kath Dowle, of Coldberry Hall Ltd, Covent Garden, London, has applied to Durham County Council for planning permission to change the Kingsway Adventure Centre in Middleton-in-Teesdale into a self-catered group venue with an events space.
She wishes to reconfigure the grade II listed building, originally constructed by the London Lead Mining Company in 1860 as a school, and turn it into a “spectacular” events space complete with nine bedrooms, cinema room, library, decked exterior dining and hot tub veranda.
In a business statement Mrs Dowle said: “At present there is only one venue of comparative size in the immediate area and this is Heather Brae, which is an ex-hotel trading as a large group venue and is almost fully booked throughout the year.
“One of the many unique features of our building, which we are renaming Coldberry Hall, is the vaulted ceiling of the original school hall which we feel will make a unique and spectacular events space with bedrooms and generous living space below.”
She added: “We are experienced large group accommodation providers with several venues in our portfolio. We understand the needs of groups and how to attract them.”
However, neighbouring residents have voiced concerns the proposals will exacerbate existing parking issues in the village.
Stephen Swinbank, of Alston Road, said: “Firstly parking for the wedding venue will be a massive problem. Parking in the village, which never used to be an issue, is one now, due to the influx of visitors – the village is at capacity in every way during the tourist season which seems to be nine months of the year. The parish council have tried without success to come up with a solution for the village parking problem.
“Presumably a wedding venue will have many wedding guests, all arriving by car and although there is limited parking within the grounds, there will undoubtedly be a large overspill.”
Christopher Grey, from Alston Road, added: “I do not think there will be sufficient parking within the grounds for that type of event. The access to the property comes through Burnbank Court housing estate, which has its own small car park for the residents’ use.
“It would definitely cause a problem for them if wedding guests looking for parking decided to park there. The only other parking will be on the very busy main road at the front of the property which leads to a blind corner around to Rose Terrace.
“Parking in the grounds of the property as far as I can see if very limited. The only real space is the grassed area to the front.”
The proposals including parking for 11 vehicles, including a disabled space and an electric vehicle charging point, within the grounds of the property.
As well as internal reconfiguration the plans include installation of new rooflights and replacement windows along with a raised decked area. It is also proposed an industrial mezzanine floor would be installed to create a second floor.
