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COUNTY DURHAM Area Developments - Areas and Subjects NOT covered on the Sunderland & Durham Forum

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#1 · (Edited)
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USING THIS COMMUNAL AREA OF THE NORTH EAST ENGLAND SUB-FORUM . . .


Recently, a thread has been set up in this 'communal area' of the forum, called "Northumberland Area Developments - Areas NOT covered on the Newcastle Forum"

That thread covers the areas in the 'extreme-West' and 'extreme-North' of the County of Northumberland.

Those areas have 'urban-development' issues, like any other area, but they are either not actually covered by the Newcastle Metro Area Forum (they are outwith the remit of that forum) or they are simply not easily covered on there, because they are not 'identifiable' with the Metropolitan Area.

I feel that there may well be a similar situation in certain areas of County Durham, where there are small developments and relevant issues for discussion, that do not readily fall to be covered by the Sunderland and Durham forum.

If so . . . they can be covered, and discussed, in this thread.

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#2 ·
I agree regarding Cumbria, --although I thought they would have come under a forum covering the North West, --but I think that it's a good idea for it to come under the North East banner, ---suppose with Taliskers thread, --it's wait and see if it generates any interest, so good luck with this, ---as for other areas, ---I suppose there are places which are on borders of Counties which are not being covered, --but can't think off hand.

denm, with apologies for 'quoting you' from another thread (though it is on the same subject) . . . but I just wondered if you had given the matter any further thought, as to areas that could/would find this thread of genuine use.

Areas from 'the borders of County Durham', say?

As you can see, the equivalent thread for the West and North of Northumberland (now that we have established the actual areas of Northumberland to be covered in it) is becoming quite well populated by 'relevant' news from newspapers about that area.

I would have hoped, if we can clarify it, that the same could happen for County Durham?

What do you (and anyone else!) think?

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#3 ·
After correspondence with NH regarding areas not been mentioned in County Durham, , ----I thought of some of the outlying areas of the County, --such as Wolsingham, - Stanhope and Eastgate, ----the latter having lost it's Cement works some years ago, --which had a huge impact on the community, ----the Council needed to come up with a plan, ---and they did, -------they came up with a Renewable Energy Village project for the former Cement Works, ---and the Task Forces project is for the people of Weardale, ----it will be a friendly - living/ Working and learning Environment and Visitor Attraction, ----as far as I'm aware, ---they are to put in detailed plans, --with the hope of starting in 2011, ---good luck to them.
 
#5 ·
I guess technically the Durham Gate development from the Sunderland and Durham forum should be in here as while it's in County Durham, it isn't in Durham City. If in fact that's what the other forum is supposed to cover?

The same with the potential Hitachi trains plant at Newton Aycliffe.
 
#6 ·
I've always taken Sunderland and Durham in the subforum title to mean "Sunderland and County Durham" so I can't personally see any reason for this extra thread. If this idea isn't widely shared then Denm's suggestion that this particular thread might cover the furthest rural reaches of the county is a decent one, though I imagine it would mean dormancy for long stretches of time. I don't find such hyper-organisation particularly necessary though; the forums are easy enough to navigate irrespective of their titles and positions.
 
#8 ·
A bit more news about the West of the County/Durham Dales, ------ the Weardale Railway --- re-opened earlier this year for passengers and which is a tourism attraction, ---the line runs from Bishop Auckland ( West) through Wolsingham, Frosterly and onto Stanhope, ---and the 18 mile line is also hoped to carry freight, ---as recent plans were approved by Durham County Council to Develop a coal loading facility within the Wolsingham Depot, ----the line could also be extended to Eastgate if project for the Renewable Energy Village goes ahead.
 
#9 ·
News regarding Consett, -------I read sometime ago that Tesco wanted to build a store in the Town, which would create over 200 jobs, ---I'm not sure what happened with this proposal, whether they received permission, --and if they did, --has any work started, ---anyone know? thanks.
 
#12 ·
I don't know about the Consett one, would be good news though, but this one nearby in Stanley, was announced today . . .

Tesco hopes new shop in Stanley, will make 400 jobs
November 30th 2010, by Neil McKay, Evening Chronicle



TESCO is planning a new store which they say will revamp a run-down town centre and create 400 new jobs.

Durham County Council planning officers were to have recommended members approve the plans for the store at Stanley today but the planning committee meeting was put back until next month due to the bad weather.

The Tesco Extra will be one of the first in a new generation of environmentally-friendly eco stores. As well as food, the supermarket will offer shoppers clothing, electrical goods, DVDs and CDs. It is hoped it will be open by mid-2012.

At a public exhibition this year, attended by hundreds of locals, more than 94% who filled in a questionnaire said they supported the proposal.

Councillors will be told that eleven residents objected to the development on the grounds of access and parking, but officers are to recommend “that the objectors were not considered sufficient to justify refusal of the application.”

Planning officers will advise council members that the new store “will enhance Stanley town centre by replacing an existing retail park which has a poor appearance with a large modern building which will enhance the appearance of the town centre and will draw people into the town centre. The scheme represents significant investment in Stanley which will widen retail choice and contribute to the regeneration of the area.”

North Durham MP Kevan Jones is also backing the scheme to revitalise the Clifford Road area of Stanley.

Mr Jones said: “I am confident that this development will be of great benefit to my constituents.”

To maximise use of the town centre site, the store will be on stilts with shoppers entering the store via travellators linking the ground floor car park to the store above. There will also be a cafe on a mezzanine floor.

Under and around the store there will be 550 car parking spaces, including 28 disabled and 24 parent and child.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nort...l-make-400-jobs-72703-27740910/#ixzz16mcCkjE1
 
#11 · (Edited)
Durham. It has nothing to do with Sunderland, mad its in the same forum.

Co.Durham. Covered nowhere right now.

It is covered in this thread, and major projects will probably continue to be covered on the "Sunderland and Durham" Forum, the remit for which is . . . 'For Sunderland, Washington, and County Durham', as it states in the sub-heading for the forum, beneath the main heading.

I am hopeful that, between the Sunderland and Durham forum, and this "County Durham Developments" thread, County Durham will be well covered. It requires people to post about the 'Urbanism Issues' within the County though!

Also, I have moved your above post here, from the 'Northumberland Developments' Thread

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#14 ·
Barnard Castle News, ------- this could be excellent news for Barnard Castle and surrounding areas, ---a thousand jobs created would be fantastic, --- this from the Northern Echo, ---

Hopes for 1,000 drugs firm jobs
8:47am Tuesday 30th November 2010

Print Email Share Comments(0) By Owen McAteer »

COUNTY Durham has been shortlisted for a manufacturing plant that will create about 1,000 jobs.

Pharmaceuticals company GlaxoSmithKline, the UK’s largest drugs firm, last night confirmed Barnard Castle will be one of three sites “considered first” for its new biopharmaceutical plant.

The plant – revealed by The Northern Echo last year – is expected to create hundreds of jobs during its construction and when it is running in about seven years’ time.

In addition, GlaxoSmith- Kline (GSK) confirmed last night it planned to go ahead with a manufacturing centre of excellence for skin creams and ointments at the existing Barnard Castle factory, which employs about 800 people.

The centre of excellence is aimed at building on GSK’s purchase of US skin specialist Stiefel last year.

GSK is Teesdale’s biggest employer, and the announcement was last night hailed as a vote of confidence in Barnard Castle’s future.

The company said it was planning a £500m investment in manufacturing after the Government confirmed yesterday that it intends to go ahead with “Patent Box” tax reforms announced almost a year ago by the Labour Government.

At that time, it emerged that GSK saw Barnard Castle as a possible site for the £300m biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant, having switched its attention from Asia or the US following the Patent Box announcement, which would give firms a ten per cent reduction in corporation tax on profits from a patent registered and then manufactured in the UK.

The measure is designed to encourage investment in research and development and related manufacturing in the UK.

Announcing a raft of plans for the company, GSK chief executive Andrew Witty indicated the majority of about 1,000 jobs to be created would revolve around the manufacturing plant.

There would also be investment at its facility in Ware, Hertfordshire, to develop a respiratory inhalation device for asthma sufferers.

Mr Witty said: “In the challenging and uncertain economic environment, this is a welcome step by the Government to improve the attractiveness of the UK as a place for the private sector to locate and invest.

“For too long, while great inventions and discoveries have been made in this country, downstream economic activity in development and manufacturing, and associated employment, have been attracted to other countries, which have more favourable corporation tax regimes.

“For GSK, the successful introduction of the Patent Box will enable us to increase investment in communities where we have existing facilities by scaling up manufacturing and building a significant new plant.”

Ian Williams, director of business and industry at regional development agency One North East, said: “It is excellent news that the Barnard Castle plant is in the frontline for construction of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant.

“The high-quality reputation of the site within GlaxoSmithKline is further underlined by the announcement of the manufacturing centre of excellence, which represents a real vote of confidence in the site’s future.”

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman, in whose constituency the site lies, said: “GSK are a valued local employer, and this is precisely the kind of long-term research and investment we should be encouraging.”

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#15 ·
Whittonstall villagers facing a new mine proposal
December 2nd 2010, by Neil McKay, The Journal


VILLAGERS who successfully opposed opencast mining applications three decades ago now face yet another fight.

UK Coal yesterday confirmed it had submitted a planning application to mine two million tonnes of coal at Whittonstall, Northumberland, close to the border with County Durham, over a period of almost seven years.

In 1978 and again in 1984 plans submitted by the National Coal Board for a large opencast mine near the village were rejected following widespread protests.

Yesterday the company announced: “UK Coal has lodged a planning application seeking consent to extract 2.2 million tonnes of coal from a 208-hectare Hoodsclose site near Whittonstall in Northumberland.

“Site operations under UK Coal’s proposals would be fully screened from Whittonstall village.” The plans will attract opposition from both sides of the county border.

Durham County Councillor Watts Stelling, whose ward includes villages such as Leadgate, Ebchester and Low Westwood near to Whittonstall, said: “I have a number of serious concerns about this proposal, not least that it will involve digging up huge swathes of beautiful countryside.

“Then there will be 12 lorries per hour trundling onto the A68 past County Durham villages. The noise, dust and danger would be intolerable.”


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...w-mine-proposal-61634-27753022/#ixzz16wZsoCEv
 
#17 ·
Shopping complex plan delayed again
December 11th 2010, by Neil McKay, The Journal


A LONG-AWAITED application to invest £24m and bring 550 new jobs to a former mining community has been put back yet again.

Durham county planners had been expected to meet later this month to discuss the application to extend a popular retail park but the meeting has been put back to an unconfirmed date. The application was originally intended to have been heard five months ago.

ING Real Estates, the owners of Dalton Park, just off the A19, want to invest £24m in the regeneration of Murton in east Durham and has applied to the county council to build a five-screen cinema, hotel, pub, supermarket and restaurants on an underused part of the site.

Locals say they have already benefited by the opening of Dalton Park seven years ago, since when 500 people have been taken on – 70% of those from the immediate area.

Key stores include Marks & Spencer, Next clearance, Nike factory store, Joseph, Gap outlet and Past Times.

Businessman Michael Walton, of Fairview Gardens in Murton, who collected a petition with 2,000 signatures as well as 150 letters in support of the development, accused county planners of “dragging their feet”.

He said: “Murton desperately needs jobs and this will provide them. With cutbacks in public sector jobs imminent, private sector jobs should be welcomed with open arms.”


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...n-delayed-again-61634-27806364/#ixzz17nbZdCoj
 
#18 ·
The Tesco in Stanley is to be a extra huh?
...I'm failining to see how it'll do too much business being right next to Asda but dearer.

Anything much known about the big academy they're supposed to be building on the kings head field in Stanley?
There's been a big sign there for eons saying its happening but no movement yet.
 
#19 · (Edited by Moderator)
Regarding the Stanley Academy, -----I found the following information, --hope this helps.


Stanley Academy still to go ahead

Following the disappointing Government announcement that most Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schools were to be stopped or put forward for discussion, we received the good news that Stanley Academy is still to go-ahead with full funding.

This means that Stanley School of Technology and Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School will be combined into the new academy. You can view the proposed plans for the academy below:

Stanley Academy Existing.pdf (1 pages, 1430kb)
http://content.durham.gov.uk/PDFRepository/Stanley_Academy_Existing.PDF

Stanley Existing Site Layout.pdf (1 pages, 1903kb)
http://content.durham.gov.uk/PDFRepository/Stanley_Academy_Existing_Layout.pdf

Stanley Academy Proposed.pdf (1 pages, 1338kb)
http://content.durham.gov.uk/PDFRepository/Stanley_Academy_Proposed.PDF

Stanley Academy Perspectives of Proposed Scheme.pdf (1 pages, 688kb)
http://content.durham.gov.uk/PDFRepository/Stanley_Academy_Perspectives_of_Proposed_Scheme.pdf


Link to article on 'Durham CC Website' - http://www.durham.gov.uk/pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=7027

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#20 ·
Barnard Castle news, --

this from the Northern Echo, --


Hub on track despite weather
6:15pm Monday 13th December 2010

Print Email Share Comments(0) By Will Roberts »

A COMMUNIITY leader is hopeful a £4.4m youth centre will be opened in January despite weather causing delays to the build.

The Hub, on Shaw Bank on the outskirts of Barnard Castle, has been hampered by the snow in recent weeks, but Keith Jones, from Teesdale Community Resources (TCR) paid tribute to contractors Clugston for continuing to work through the bad weather.

The building project was hampered earlier in the year by heavy snow and rain in January and February, meaning that the initial opening day of 10am on October 10 this year had to be cancelled.

Mr Jones said: "The snow has really been holding things up for some time now but I have to give big credit to the contractors Clugston who have pulled out all the stops to keep things going.


Read more, --

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/barnardcastle/8735447.Hub_on_track_despite_weather/
 
#26 ·
Looks good there but I fear it may be like typical 1960s architecture- grandiose and good looking on the drawing board and for the first year or so but a horrid eyesore ever after.

It also looks a bit small. They're demolishing and merging two schools into that one.
 
#23 ·
Consett news, --

Millionaire's row plans at mansion are rejected
6:30am Wednesday 22nd December 2010

Print Email Share Comments(0) By Mark Tallentire »

MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform the dilapidated former country mansion of a celebrated Victorian novelist into a county’s most expensive private home have been thrown out by councillors.

Father and son Bill and Steven Spry, who made their fortune in commercial property, wanted to restore the 47- room Hamsterley Hall, near Consett, County Durham, as their family home, at a cost of £6.3m.

The hall was formerly home to Robert Smith Surtees, best known for his Jorrocks stories.

Surtees, whose work about cockney grocer Jorrocks has been compared with Dickens, devoted himself to a country life of hunting and shooting when he was not writing.

However, villagers and conservationists were furious because the scheme was linked to a £40m project also involving the creation of a 60-home millionaires’ row on the 170- acre estate, included to pay for the hall’s restoration.

Yesterday, Durham County Council’s county planning committee, meeting at County Hall, in Durham, granted the Sprys consent to restore the grade II*-listed hall, but refused permission for the housing development.

Earlier, objectors had told councillors the plans were “almost robbery”, “bordering on lunacy” and “a dodgy dossier”.

The committee rejected the scheme on a near-unanimous vote, with only two councillors abstaining.

Councillor Charlie Walker said: “I can’t accept part of natural England being removed for the sake of a developer.

We have sold ourselves short for many years. Let’s not do it again.”

Afterwards, a residents’ spokesman said the decision was a triumph for common sense.

“We would like the hall preserved but we’re concerned if we’re not careful the whole countryside will be taken over.

“We are happy with the sensible decision from the committee, which is for the benefit of everyone who lives in the Derwent Valley,” he added.

However, Mr Spry Jnr said he was surprised by the vote.

Read more, http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8750875.Millionaire_s_row_plans_at_mansion_are_rejected/
 
#24 ·
Boost for Durham eco-village plan
December 23rd 2010, by Neil McKay, The Journal


AMBITIOUS plans for a revolutionary eco-village in County Durham have received a boost from landowners and civic bosses.

It had been feared that the proposed village on the former Lafarge cement works site at Eastgate, near Stanhope, Weardale, would be scrapped following the winding up of regional development agency One NorthEast.

But yesterday landowners Lafarge said plans were still under way, albeit at a “more pragmatic and slower pace”.

Supporters hope the project – comprising 65 homes, a hotel, spa and a cable car – will revive the dale, which was left devastated by the closure of the Lafarge cement works and the loss of 150 jobs more than eight years ago.

But the project to create 350 jobs was left in jeopardy after losing a £1m grant in One North East budget cuts announced in September.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...co-village-plan-61634-27872571/#ixzz18vGGyks9
 
#25 ·
Funding for academy is £12m short
December 23rd 2010, by Neil McKay, The Journal


THE FUTURE of an academy for 1,700 students in a former steel town was thrown into confusion last night when the Government agreed funds that are £12m less than education bosses say is needed to build it.

The £20m for a new academy in Consett, County Durham, was announced yesterday, 12 days after Education Secretary Michael Gove visited the town.

Mr Gove visited Consett’s Blackfyne Community Sports College at the invitation of Durham North West MP Pat Glass and promised a decision on funding before Christmas.

The Department for Education last night agreed £20.7m in funding for the new school – but that falls significantly short of the £32m the council had been promised under the Labour Government.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...my-is-12m-short-61634-27872428/#ixzz18vGkt8ub
 
#29 ·
Cattle mart plan for Darlington could bring 300 jobs
1 January 2011, BBC News

Plans to create one of the UK's largest cattle markets could bring up to 300 jobs to Darlington, it is claimed.

Darlington Farmers' Auction Mart Company wants to build a 50 hectare (123.5 acre) complex, near Burtree, on the outskirts of the town.

Darlington Council has welcomed the plan, estimating up to 300 new jobs for the area's agricultural sector.

The authority is expected to formally back the £17m proposals at a meeting later this month.

More here
 
#31 ·
Seaham film studio plans may be over
January 30th 2011, by Adrian Pearson, Sunday Sun


IT COULD have been the Hollywood of the UK, located at the heart of one of the North’s most deprived constituencies.

But the dream of opening a leading film studio may be in tatters as the recession and Government cuts could scupper plans to build a Centre for Creative Excellence in Seaham.

Today your Sunday Sun says this latest blow to one of the most deprived parts of the UK is exactly why posh prime minister David Cameron needs to pay a visit and see for himself why some parts of the North East need investment if they are ever to see new business grow.

As MPs warn Cameron the private sector can not do it alone, we call on him to visit Easington to see how his policies impact on real people.

In 2008 the region was told to prepare for glitz and glamour as £52m worth of investment was earmarked for Easington by a Hartlepool-registered consortium of private investors and developers called Coolmore Estate.

Two years on and with no public cash available to get started, East Durham is now unlikely to see the 2,400 jobs created on the Dawdon site.


Read More - http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/nor...film-studio-plans-may-be-over-79310-28079931/
 
#32 ·
^^^^


Yeah, --I think at the time, ---there was talk of a £ 300 million Development of a Film Studio, --and with involvement from a couple of Universities, ---and there would also be numerous jobs created, -----will be a shame if nothing comes of this like.
 
#33 ·
600 Jobs could be created, ---this would be good news for this area, ---this from the Northern Echo, --



The South Durham Enterprise Agency makes £11m funding bid
9:32am Monday 31st January 2011

Print Email Share Comments(0) By Duncan Leatherdale »

MORE than 600 jobs could be created and a cinema built if a multi-million-pound funding bid is successful.

The South Durham Enterprise Agency (SDEA) has submitted an £11.7m request to the Government for Regional Growth Fund (RGF) cash as it attempts to kick-start developments in the area.

One of the projects seeking funding is a cinema at the Terrace Hill Development, in St Helen Auckland.

The £45m scheme, which has already seen a Sainsbury’s supermarket and a stadium for Bishop Auckland FC built, has stalled after a drop in the market saw cinema operators lose interest in the site.

More than 4,300 people have joined a group on social networking website Facebook calling for a cinema and county councillor for the area, Rob Yorke, said the funding would make their dreams a reality.

Councillor Yorke, who is the SDEA chairman, said several companies, including a cinema operator, have agreed to develop in the area if the bid for the Government cash is successful.

He said the purpose of the RGF was to “spark the ignition”

of developments which have been waylaid by the economic troubles and create opportunities for people aged between 18 and 24.

Read more http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8822321.Jobs_and_cinema_hopes_from___11m_funding_bid/
 
#34 ·
Barnard Castle / Tow Law news, --


Conservationists agree to move historic mart
9:50am Monday 31st January 2011

Print Email Share Comments(0) By Duncan Leatherdale »

HERITAGE experts have reluctantly backed plans to move a historic cattle market 26 miles away.

Councillors will be advised to approve a proposal to build 15 homes on the site of 130-year-old Tow Law Auction Mart, in County Durham when they meet on Thursday.

Officials have already agreed to allow the mart to be moved to Cross Lanes Farm, near Barnard Castle, where it will be re-built as part of a visitor attraction.

Durham County Council’s design and conservation department said it had explored the option of keeping the mart in Tow Law, but because there was “no likelihood of the mart being brought back into use, and given its ever deteriorating state, a new use and site must be found for the building”.

Planning officer Sinead Turnbull said the principle of homes on the site had already been set after approval was given in 2007 to build 13 houses next to the mart.

She said the development would “represent effective and efficient use of brownfield land

Read more http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ne...Conservationists_agree_to_move_historic_mart/
 
#35 ·
Bishop Auckland news, -- from the Northern Echo, --


Auckland Castle is not for sale, says the church
12:22pm Monday 31st January 2011

Print Email Share Comments(1) By Helen Smithson »
Reporter (Wear Valley)


THE Church of England has said today that it has no plans to sell Auckland Castle.

Andrew Brown, secretary to the Church Commissioners, has stated that the historic building, in Bishop Auckland, will not be sold but the future of the £15m Zurbaran paintings which are located there remains uncertain.

Read more http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ne...land_Castle_is_not_for_sale__says_the_church/
 
#36 ·
Stanley news, --from the Northern Echo, --


Work starts on South Moor park upgrade
5:25pm Monday 31st January 2011

Print Email Share Comments(0)

A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony has been held to mark the start of work to revamp a community’s park.

The Memorial Park at South Moor, near Stanley, is getting a major facelift that will see the creation of a picnic area, a multi-use games area and a skate park.

There will also be new wildlife habitats to support the area’s flora and fauna and improvements to the area’s footpaths so that the park will be more accessible to as many people as possible.

The park, which is a valuable local heritage site, is the focus of a long running project aiming to benefit the whole community of South Moor.

The project is being led by the South Moor Partnership and is being facilitated by Groundwork North East and supported by Durham County Council.

Read more http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/stanley/8823571.Work_starts_on_South_Moor_park_upgrade/
 
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