04/06/2026
Dear Editor,
It is appears Durham County Council and The Auckland Project may not wish the Planning Application for Bishop Gateway and Kynren Theme Park to become widely known, as meaningful consultation has been limited to the Notice in the Northern Echo, listing the project last at number 6, blink and you miss it. This follows the biased "consultation event" of 4 November 2025 which provided little detail concerning the Bishop Gateway, the reason for the event.
It is most unusual for TAP/Kynren to miss an opportunity to promote its offerings, we got the white horse and the topping off but nothing for the Bishop Gateway and Theme Park, the massive £28.9M+ project covered by £5M from DCC,£15.7M Stronger Towns Funding (Government money controlled and administered by DCC), Stronger Towns Board minutes state TAP has agreed to cover the rest.
Why has there been no public meeting organised by DCC or Town Council, as there was for Toft Hill Bypass, this is no different? The last meeting, in the Town Hall some 3 years ago, discussed the then Eastern Sustainable Access Corridor (no wonder they changed the name) and was organised by the Town Council, however as partner and client it is DCC which should accommodate such a meeting.
This suggests a deliberate strategy to limit public information and the opportunity for public comment.
You may be aware that the application contains a number of controversial elements, not least being;
construction of a road junction and traffic lights, adjacent to "S" bend on the A688 at Park Head Bank, making a dangerous road more dangerous. Apparently DCC has already agreed to this and that it will become Adopted Highway, astonishing!
construction of a private road, over which there will be no public highway rights, crossing prime meadow and agricultural land, also the creation of of car parking and links to the Batts and and Bishops Park.
destruction of part of the much loved Auckland Way railway walk, public use of which is protected by legal covenants which can not be overridden by the granting of Planning Permission. This can not be ignored by DCC or TAP.
construction of a car park adjacent to the River Wear, served by entrance and exit on the Batts road, Dial Stobb Hill. This road is unsuitable for the amount of traffic likely to be generated as there is narrow single file sections, limited footpaths, the dangerous Jocks Row Bridge with its hu**ed back and visibility issues, also the blind bend and very steep hill at Wear Chare to the Market Place. The road to Newfield and Binchester is equally unsuitable, with narrow sections, passing places, blind bends and no footpaths.
Anyone having an interest in this project or may wish to comment, support or object can find the Planning Application on DCC website, ref DM/26/00759/FPA
Significant is the National Highways recommendation that planning permission not be granted for a specified period, 30 July 2026, requiring the provision of additional info and further advises, "Should the Local Planning Authority not propose to determine the application in accordance with this recommendation they are required to consult the Secretary of State for Transport and may not determine the application until the consultation process is complete."
This is likely to mean the application will remain open for longer than was envisaged by DCC.
Yours sincerely,
