Public invited to help shape Shildon Town Centre’s future

People living in Shildon and Newton Aycliffe have been invited to share their hopes for the future and discuss the challenges facing the towns, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.

New plans putting local communities at the heart of developing County Durham towns and villages have been created. 

The new Strategic Place Plans (SPP) aim to create a vision for each town by identifying key plans and objectives specific to the area.

Already adopted for Spennymoor and Durham City, residents and businesses will contribute to creating a shared local vision.

Shildon and Newton Aycliffe were recently selected by The National Lottery as part of the first wave of Heritage Places.

The towns will receive around £10 million over the next ten years, with a strong focus on children and young people and engaging them as future community leaders.

It is hoped that the programme will help residents feel pride in their heritage connections.

Other priorities are for Shildon to be recognised as a World Heritage Site due to its railway history, for young people to be able to access heritage professions and skills, and for sustainable, heritage-led regeneration to boost the local economy.

Councillor Lyndsey Fox, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “Our town centres have changed and we are looking at how they can deliver a 21st-century offer.

“The aim of the SPPs is to help create safer, friendly town centre environments with an increased focus around experiences, community and convenience.

“We need the public’s help to create new visions for Shildon and Newton Aycliffe.

“We would encourage all residents, businesses and partners in these areas to take this opportunity to have their say on their town’s futures.”

A post on the new Durham County Council consultations website introduces the plan saying: “We are starting work in Shildon with our partner Urban Foresight to find out your views and ideas about how you would like to see the town develop over the next 10 years.

“We want this plan to be developed with our communities, so its important that you tell us what you would like to see for the future.

“We want to hear from the people who live and work in Shildon to help shape the future of your town. We want to understand your thoughts on its strengths and opportunities, what can be improved and what we’d all like Shildon to be in the future.

“There are no existing ideas in mind, this vision will be directly shaped by the people of Shildon from the very beginning.

“Over the next eight weeks, we will be talking to people in the streets, at transport hubs, bus stops, shopping centres, organising drop-in meetings, listening to children and young people in schools, visiting community meetings and local organisations to find out your thoughts on the town’s strengths, opportunities, and challenges, and your hopes for its future.”

A full series of engagement events will also be held, as well as an outreach programme to schools, businesses and other organisations.
Residents and businesses can have their say by completing an online survey before 5pm on Friday, August 1 at www.letstalkcountydurham.co.uk.