First phase of Kynren theme park in Bishop Auckland approved
An oval-shaped arena resembling a bird's nest will be created for The Lost Feather bird show, and will include a small lake, landscaped hillside performance area and performance bridge.The show will be performed using 300 birds.
A report by planning officers said the development "would not impact the vitality and viability of Bishop Auckland town centre" due to its link to the "established operation" of the Kynren site.It also stated the plans would support Bishop Auckland, increasing footfall in the vicinity.Set to open in summer 2026, the focus of The Storied Lands will be live action shows with storytelling stunts and music, rather than rides.Phase one of the park will feature five shows and immersive experiences, with themes including Neolithic Britain, Viking battles, and the gas-lit streets of Victorian England.The Legend of the Wear performance will use water stunts to retell the Lambton Worm myth.Separate planning applications are expected to be submitted in due course.Kynren's existing evening show has already generated a significant profile, generating £65.5m to the north-east of England economy, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
'Tram Sunday' event returns to Fleetwood for 40th anniversary
Transport enthusiasts are marking the 40th anniversary of the Fleetwood Festival of Transport, traditionally known as Tram celebrate the milestone, organisers are encouraging attendees to dress up in 1980s outfits, with prizes available for the best-dressed adult, teen and event is a free, family friendly event showcasing of retro and vintage cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, electric vehicles and replica cars from film and will be no vintage trams this year, as the Blackpool fleet will not be up and running until the start of the Lightpool event in October, but it is hoped they will be back for next year's event, Wyre Council said. Batmobile and DeLorean Alongside the vehicle displays, visitors can enjoy live performances and street theatre, food and drink stalls, fairground rides, family zones and kids' entertainment, market traders and local crafts, the Local Democracy Reporting Service the vehicles on show are Lightning McQueen from Cars, Ecto 1 from Ghostbusters, the A-Team Van, the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles Van, KITT from Knight Rider, the General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard, the 1989 Batmobile, the DeLorean from Back to the Future and Transformers favourites Bumblebee and Optimus Dooney, marketing manager for the festival, said: "Reaching this milestone is a real achievement and the interest from transport enthusiasts and local families is as strong as ever." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
John Torode cancels public appearance event at last minute after Masterchef axe
John Torode was set to step out at food festival next month but has now pulled out of the event amid his exit from the BBC. John Torode has withdrawn from the Seaham Food Festival, Durham County Council has confirmed. The former MasterChef host was set to be the star of the show at the council run event on August 2 and 3. Torode was expected to dazzle festival-goers in the cookery theatre with his culinary expertise but has now dropped out of the event. Despite his cancellation, Dean Edwards, Chris Baber, Nelly Ghaffar and other renowned chefs will still join over 120 traders in the seaside town for the weekend's festivities. A representative from Durham County Council said: "We appreciate this has been a difficult time for John and, as a result, he has decided to take some time out. He will, therefore, not be appearing at this year's Seaham Food Festival." The announcement comes after the BBC and MasterChef production company Banijay's decision not to renew Torode's contract amid allegations of him using "highly offensive racist language" back in 2018. John has vehemently denied the claim, insisting that he does not remember such an incident occurring, the Mirror reports. The allegation surfaced during an independent probe conducted by the legal firm Lewis Silkin, which had previously substantiated 45 complaints against John's co-presenter Gregg Wallace, who was axed from MasterChef earlier this year. John took to Instagram on Tuesday to address rumours of his departure from MasterChef, claiming the BBC and Banijay had left him in the dark. The celebrity chef expressed his own confusion about the situation, writing: "Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. "The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Torode expressed disappointment at being axed from the show which he has been a part of since its 2005 relaunch and said that recent events seemed to have taken that choice away. The 59-year-old reflected on his time and future on the BBC show, saying: "I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that. "Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future." Confirming his exit, he announced: "Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. "Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else." He encouraged whoever replaces him to cherish the role as much as he did and said he will continue to keep updated with the show while he focuses on new projects. Torode added: "For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards." Acknowledging the impact of his long tenure on the show, he joked about his stomach needing a break after two decades. He added: "My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. "Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
John Torode pulls out of event at the last minute after Masterchef axing
Durham County Council has confirmed that John Torode has withdrawn from the Seaham Food Festival. The celebrity chef and former MasterChef host was scheduled to be the star attraction at the council-run event on August 2 and 3. John was expected to dazzle festival-goers in the cookery theatre with his culinary expertise. Despite his absence, Dean Edwards, Chris Baber, Nelly Ghaffar and other renowned chefs will still join over 120 traders in the seaside town for the weekend's festivities. A representative from Durham County Council stated: "We appreciate this has been a difficult time for John and, as a result, he has decided to take some time out. He will, therefore, not be appearing at this year's Seaham Food Festival." This announcement follows the BBC and MasterChef production company Banijay's decision not to renew Torode's contract amid allegations of him using "highly offensive racist language" back in 2018. John has refuted the claim, asserting that he does not remember such an incident occurring. The allegation surfaced during an independent probe conducted by the legal firm Lewis Silkin, which had previously substantiated 45 complaints against John's co-presenter Gregg Wallace, reports Chronicle Live. John Torode is to be a special guest at Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Credit Jane Sebire (Image: PR) John took to Instagram on Tuesday to address rumours of his departure from MasterChef, claiming the BBC and Banijay had left him in the dark. The celebrity chef expressed his confusion, posting: "Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong." He expressed his disappointment at not having a say in his exit from the show he'd been part of since its 2005 relaunch, noting that recent events seemed to have taken that choice away. The TV star reflected on his time and future, saying: "I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future." John Torode released a statement on Tuesday Confirming his departure, he announced: "Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else." He encouraged his successor to cherish the role as much as he did and revealed his plans to watch the show's progress while pursuing other ventures. Torode added: "For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards." Acknowledging the impact of his long tenure on the show, he joked about his stomach needing a break after two decades. He concluded with heartfelt thanks for the years spent on 'MasterChef': "My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. "Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE."
