PROPOSALS for a multi-million pound visitor attraction, which would create hundreds of new jobs and boost the ailing local economy of Bishop Auckland, were in the balance last night after planning officials said the first phase should be rejected.

Despite admitting that the scheme, in the shadow of Auckland castle, offers a "rare opportunity to secure a visitor attraction without comparison in the region" planners raised concerns over noise and the effects on local bat populations.

The £24m scheme is the centrepiece of an ambitious £90m plan to redevelop Bishop Auckland headed by the multi-millionaire Jonathan Ruffer, who already owns Auckland Castle and nearby Binchester Roman Fort.

The Eleven Arches charitable project, at Flatts Farm, to the north of the Auckland Castle escarpment, aims to create a sound-and-light spectacular celebrating 2,000 years of British history.

Developers, who have already committed £3m ahead of the planning application, believe the 80-minute show - staged on 30 nights during the summer - would attract more than 180,000 visitors and generate £9.5m tourism spending in one of the hardest-hit areas of County Durham.

They have partnered with the world-famous French entertainment company Puy du Fou with the aim of opening in June 2016.

But last night the plans looked to be facing a major obstacle after officials urged members of Durham County Council's planning committee to reject the application at its meeting on Tuesday, June 2. Ironically, the scheme is due to have a formal national press launch in London the following day.

Planners said the show would breach noise guidelines and, despite efforts by developers to mitigate the acoustic impact, believe it would have an adverse effect on 40 nearby homes.

A report to the planning committee says: "Additional options have been explored, including revised speaker placement, earth mounding and acoustic screens. However, it has not been possible to bring the noise levels below the minimum guidance thresholds."

Developers of the scheme said they were not giving up last night.

Anne-Isabelle Daulon, chief executive of the Eleven Arches project, said: “We are highly sympathetic to the need to preserve residents’ amenity.

“We have worked closely with the council to minimise the potential impact and this process is on-going.

“We remain committed to reducing noise to acceptable levels throughout the process of creating the soundtrack, setting up, testing and fine tuning the sound system, as well as through event and noise management procedures.

“We hope that the planning committee will be persuaded that the significant long-term social and economic benefits of this once-in-a-lifetime development, and our commitment to achieving acceptable noise levels during the shows, will justify an approval of the application.”

Bob McManners, of Bishop Auckland Civic Society, described the refusal recommendation as "devastating news” while the town's county councillor Sam Zair said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for Bishop Auckland.

“I hope that some of the major issues can be ironed out; although I understand residents' concerns about noise."

County councillor Joy Allen added: “This is not only a fantastic tourism opportunity for the town, but for the North-East as a whole.

“I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support it has received. It is therefore disappointing that the planning application has been recommended for refusal.”