Concerns have been raised after Kynren in Bishop Auckland applied for permission to dramatically increase the number of show days and extend opening hours.
In a letter submitted to Durham County Council, the unnamed resident said the development was already having an impact on people living in areas including Dial Stob Hill, The Batts and Toronto.
They argued the attraction “encroaches significantly” on nearby neighbourhoods and claimed noise from loudspeakers, late-night activity in car parks and increased traffic had affected residents’ quality of life.
An Artist Impression of Kynren – The Storied Lands. (Image: Supplied)
The application will be considered by Durham County Council’s licensing committee on Tuesday (June 30).
The proposed changes would allow the site to operate a summer season from July 18 to September 12, increasing the number of public show days from 18 to 57.
A new exhibit, Kynren – The Storied Lands, will open on July 18 and will feature five live shows and immersive experiences inspired by history, myth and legend.
The major expansion of the attraction means it has applied to remove the existing Sunday restrictions, extend opening hours and allow alcohol sales throughout the year.
The application also requests late-night refreshment on Fridays and Saturdays until 1am, while alcohol sales would be allowed seven days a week, including off-sales for the first time.
Opening hours would be extended until 11pm from Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
But the objector argues that residents should be able to enjoy their homes and gardens without disturbance, and expressed concerns about noise affecting sleep, family life and wellbeing.
They said: “This theme park is significantly encroaching on residents’ homes and gardens, their sleep, health, wellbeing, safety, amenity and peaceful enjoyment of their assets.
“How would members of the committee feel if they are located at the Batts, opposite a car park or indeed in a congested town centre?”
The objector also warned that an extension of alcohol sales could lead to increased nuisance from visitors in surrounding residential areas, claiming some motorists already park on nearby streets outside designated parking zones.
Responding to the concerns, 11Arches said it had carefully considered the issues raised and had put forward measures designed to address them.
In a statement submitted as part of the application, the organisation said independent assessments and operational controls had been provided to support its case.
An 11Arches spokesperson said: “11Arches has carefully considered the concerns raised within the representation and has provided both independent reporting and details of robust operational controls to address those concerns.
“We urge the objector to consider the information supplied in this supplementary statement, the response memo from Apex Acoustics, and the relevant Event Management Plan to satisfactorily address their concerns.
“We propose that the measures proposed are appropriate, proportionate and sufficient to promote the licensing objectives and support the approval of the variation application.”
