A FOOTBALL club's £12m plan to build a 100-bed hotel, offices, football pitches and a training academy next to its stadium has been approved.

The project, in Darlington, has been described as vital to secure the future of the cash-strapped club.

The plan was passed by five votes to three, but councillors on the Darlington Borough Council committee expressed concerns about the sustainability of the scheme.

The club will also build a pub, coffee shop, an education centre with leisure facilities, a football academy, three outdoor training pitches and ten indoor pitches next to Darlington Arena.

Quakers' chairman George Houghton said: "I think this is absolutely unbelievable news, not just for Darlington, but for the whole region."

At yesterday's planning meeting, Councillor Charles Johnson called for the club to provide a full business model before permission was granted, to show how much income would be generated by the project.

Coun Gerald Lee said the club's financial stability should not be a consideration for the committee.

He said: "We are told there is a need to make the club financially viable, but that has never been a planning issue.

"It seems to be the major reason for granting permission.

"What happens if in six months' time, a business comes to us and says they have money problems, but they can save their business if they build an extension?

"As far as I am aware, that should not be a planning issue."

Coun Bill Stenson said: "There is already a new hotel being built farther up the road from the stadium. We do not need that many hotels in Darlington."

However, Coun David Lyonette backed the scheme, and said: "I do not think we need to go into the viability of the football club.

"We need to ask if this plan is to the benefit of Darlington, the local community and the local economy. I think the answer to all those questions is yes."

After the meeting, Mr Houghton said: "This is important for the club financially.

"It is a big club, with a big mouth that needs feeding. It is a big place to run when you do not have these facilities.

"The profit will come into the club, and that is the important thing. This is going to save money and get the club to where it needs to be."

Public give their views about development

THE Northern Echo asked members of the public about their views on the plans for Darlington Football Club.

MICHELLE RHODES, a 22-yearold barmaid from Darlington, said: "I think it is a good idea especially if we are heading into League One."

TERRY ANDERSON, 74, from Stockton, said: "I think it would be a good thing. There should be more academies throughout the country."

ABIGAIL STURROCK, 32, a bus driver from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, said: "It would be really good if it was better planned-out than the town centre has been."

TIM ROUSE, 48, a retail manager from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, said: "It can only be a good thing. The road network there is very good, so I cannot see it being problematic."

NICKY EDGAR, 22, a sales assistant from Darlington, said: "It means more people will work in the town, and more people will visit the town, resulting in more custom for the town centre and bigger profits for existing businesses."