Durham County Council backed the change of use of a large industrial unit on Cook Way, at the North West Industrial Estate in Peterlee, from storage and distribution to an indoor sports and recreation facility. The site is currently used for storage and distribution and is surrounded by other industrial and commercial premises. One supporter said the centre would be "brilliant for people who work in this area", allowing shift workers to play at different times of the day. Another said Peterlee was "deprived of good high-end sports facilities" and that the location, surrounded by industrial units, would make it well used by local people. Supporters also said the development would make good use of one of the county's larger commercial units at a time when many industrial premises stood empty.