A North East council has welcomed the news that a programme aimed at regenerating town centres will go ahead.
The Chancellor has confirmed that the Long-term Plan for Towns fund will continue as part of a new, reformatted regeneration plan.
Durham County Council has been consulting on long-term plans for Spennymoor since October last year, when it was announced that it was one of a number of towns set to receive a share of the £1.1 billion fund.
The funding was to be used over the next decade for projects focused on reviving the high street, tackling anti-social behaviour, improving transport and growing the economy. It follows more than £7 million of recent investment in the town centre by the council and private sector. This has included the redevelopment of the former Festival Walk shopping centre site and the town’s leisure centre.
The council has already established a Spennymoor Town Board and consulted with residents, stakeholders and businesses to understand more about their views on the town and decide on areas for improvement.
Revised guidance confirming timelines and a new set of strategic objectives for the programme aligned to the Government’s priorities will be published shortly. Further community engagement will take place over the coming months, with the delivery of projects within the programme expected to begin in 2026.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are so pleased that the work we’ve done to establish a vision for the town and identify the key improvements has been recognised in the Budget and can be built upon.
“Residents and businesses have worked very closely with us to set out their priorities for the town and it is fantastic to know that this work can continue for the benefit of all those who live and work in Spennymoor.
“We look forward to finding out more details to allow us to plan our next steps and how we can press ahead with our exciting plans for the town.”
Alan Boddy, Chair of the All Together for Spennymoor Board, said: “We are delighted that the work undertaken across Spennymoor will be taken forward and that there will be access to funds to deliver improvements as part of a new regeneration programme.
“Our work with the community has already received great feedback and despite the pause in submitting our plans, we have continued to further involve residents, local businesses and partners in our work to make sure that their views are at the heart of our investment plan.
“We are determined to work together to make a positive difference to Spennymoor, ensuring it is a thriving, well-connected town with a range of activities on offer for all those who live and work here.”
