Easington Regeneration Statement

District launches regeneration vision for 2021

Thousands of new jobs, new houses and a booming population are part of an ambitious vision that is being laid out for east Durham.
 
District of Easington Council has formerly launched it's draft Regeneration Statement at the Glebe Centre, Murton, on Tuesday, 15 May in front of representatives of development agencies such as OneNorth East, English Partnerships and Government Office North East.

The document, which has been compiled by Shared Intelligence and in consultation with public, private, and the voluntary and community sectors, outlines the authority’s long-term plans for the economic, social and environmental regeneration of the district.

This will include attracting a further 4,500 households and attracting new businesses to create an additional 5,000 jobs within the next 15 years.

It also includes:

• improving business infrastructure  - to attract new investment and new businesses to occupy its business parks.

• creating sustainable communities by developing new housing opportunities, new schools and community buildings.

• connecting Easington – improving road links between the A19 and A1, and working to improve rail links with the district.

Councillor Rob Crute, District of Easington Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “There is an enormous amount of work going on to revitalise the District of Easington and the Regeneration Statement articulates this along with our long-term goals.

“This important document will influence regional strategies such as the Regional Spatial Strategy and the Regional Economic Strategy, and will help inform the private sector about the work going on in east Durham, so helping to build investor certainty and confidence in the area.”

The Regeneration Statement also highlights the success the area has had to date which include:

• £6 million Hawthorn Prestige Business Park, work is due to start in the next few weeks on a new road link to the site from the A19.  The park is set to be complete by 2009.

• Seaham - £18 million Byron Place shopping mall – top retailers ASDA, Argos and Wilkinsons have already signed up for the retail mall, which is due for completion in October 2007.

• Transformation of the historic North Dock into a working marina with a diverse range of activities and a visitor destination.

• St John’s Square – the redevelopment of the civic square will see a new health centre for the Primary Care Trust and multi-user building for Durham County Council to provide a range of modern public services as part of a larger scheme that will include high quality public realm areas for civic events and residential developments.

• Murton Colliery - creating a new mixed-use development to include residential and commercial enterprises in the village.

• Geothermal Research, Education and Training (GREAT) Institute 
  Located at Hawthorn Business Park, the institute will be a joint project between District of Easington Council and Newcastle University working on applied research into microgeneration and other technologies designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Councillor Crute added: “More than £300 million has been invested in the district over the past ten years creating new jobs, homes and business parks, and improving our coast and countryside.  From the work that is currently going on everyone can see that we intend to build on this success and our vision for 2021 is to be a district that people are proud to live, work and invest in.”

Members of the public will now have their chance to have a say on the plans as a six-weeks of consultation now begins with communities.

District of Easington’s Regeneration Statement can be found in community centres, libraries and secondary schools. It can also be picked up at council offices or downloaded from this page.