Dilapidated hotel to be bulldozed

The disused Golden Eagle has been described as a huge "eyesore" by councillors

Proposals to knock down an “eyesore” hotel have been approved as part of an overall £43m regeneration plan.

Stockton Council said the dilapidated Golden Eagle in Thornaby will be bulldozed as part of its aim to make the area "vibrant and economically successful".

A new swimming pool, gym and leisure facility are also planned for a site near Phoenix House, which was demolished last year.

In total, £19.7m will be spent on the town centre, including £12.7m from the government’s Towns Fund.

The council said its long-term plan was to sell the town centre freehold to private developer firm LCP Proudreed.

As part of the regeneration, Thornaby Pool will also be demolished to make way for a five-lane swimming pool and gym, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

Labour cabinet member for regeneration Nigel Cooke told a meeting: “It’s really important that all of the borough’s town centres are vibrant and economically successful so that they attract future investment and are fit for future generations.

“The Eagle is a huge eyesore. There’s no other way to describe the Eagle in its current state."

Stockton Council and Proudreed will also pay £7m towards the regeneration scheme.