A decision to extend the deadline for submissions around the regeneration of town centres has been welcomed by a North East council.
Durham County Council has been consulting on long-term plans for Spennymoor after the town was selected to receive a share of the Government’s £1.1 billion Long-term Plan for Towns fund in October last year.
The fund will give Spennymoor access to £20 million over the next decade, for projects focused on reviving the high street, tackling anti-social behaviour, improving transport and growing the economy.
Following recent investment of more than £7 million, which included the redevelopment of the former Festival Walk shopping centre site and the town’s leisure centre, the Long-term Plan for Towns funding will help with the ongoing regeneration of the town.
The council has already established a Spennymoor Town Board and consulted with the public to understand more about their views on the town and decide on areas for improvement.
Plans should have been submitted to government, via the town board, today (1 August), and the board was ready to provide its investment plan and vision for Spennymoor on the agreed date.
However, the government has agreed to extend that deadline given that most boards had to pause their work because of the restrictions in place in the pre-election period.
Alan Boddy, Chair of the Spennymoor Town Board, said: “We are pleased to be given more time to shape the first investment plan for Spennymoor. We have already received great feedback from the local community through the consultation, but the additional time means we can further involve our residents, local businesses and partners in the work.
“This will help us to ensure that their views are at the heart of our investment plan so we can work together to bring about the biggest difference and long-term success for Spennymoor.”
A new timetable and next steps for the programme is expected to be announced by the government in the near future.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
