Land and Buildings Improvement Programme

Derelict and redundant land and buildings across the district are seen to have a significant negative impact, discouraging new investment in settlements and providing a focus for anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.

The land and buildings improvement programme has been targeted on land and property that currently provides the bulk of the workload for a number of enforcement officers.  It will address issues picked up by the community open spaces audit and those already identified through the various community and environmental appraisals.

Community Open Spaces Audit

Liveability funding was used to engage consultants who undertook a complete audit of the District’s open space. The audit considers all types of space, from formal parks and amenity green space to recreation grounds, play areas and allotments.  It records not only the location of the green space, but also it’s quality and accessibility for local residents.

Following on from the audit, the Council is currently developing an open space and recreation strategy to ensure that it secures and maintains quality open spaces that contribute to a positive image of the District as a place to live, work and play.

It was a requirement of the council to have a thorough understanding of the conditions of all sites across the District, regardless of use or ownership.

Land and Derelict Buildings Audit and Assessment

Consultants were commissioned to complete an assessment of identified areas of concern within the district. This assessment will provide the framework for the development of a strategy to tackle the legacy of derelict land and buildings and ensure a supply of development land to meet the demands of the future. The results of this assessment will be available by the end of January 2005.

This project came forward as a result of the Open Spaces Audit, which identified areas of less than 0.25ha, and a consultation exercise undertaken in 2005, which identified derelict, vacant and underused sites and buildings in the District. 

A Policy Framework to deliver the improvements identified in this work is currently being developed.

A number of land and building improvements have already been identified and work has either been completed or is progressing in these areas:

• Dalton-le-Dale Community Centre
• Moore Terrace, Shotton 
• North Dock, Seaham
• Northlea Allotments
• Peterlee Town Centre
• Potto Street Car Parking 
• Ropery Walks 
• Shotton Community Park
• Wingate Woodland

About this service

North Dock, Seaham

Liveability funding has been used to open up an area of Seaham that has not been used for a number of years to local user groups and the general public. It has provided open access to activities such as fishing for all age groups. The scheme has also provided viewing platforms and disabled access to the Dock area, so that people can look out to sea and see the ships that are coming into port. 

Physical improvements have included removal of rubbish, provision of handrails, new fencing and treatment of uneven surfaces.  Controlled access to the pier has also been provided for anglers. 

This scheme will greatly enhance Durham’s heritage coastline by adding a further public realm attraction along the coastal footpath and will hopefully act as a much needed tourist attraction for the District, bringing in people from outside of the area.

The dock re-opening is now viewed as the first phase of improvements. A master plan has been commissioned in consultation with partners. Two further phases are now under consideration and are subject to feasibility and funding. Phase 2 includes proposals for dock gates, pontoons and workshops. Phase 3 includes heritage restoration.

Peterlee Town Centre

This proposal intends to enhance the physical appearance and access points of the area located between the ASDA superstore and the town centre ring road in Peterlee.

Wingate Woodland

Nature lovers can now enjoy a popular woodland area thanks to a new pathway. Muddy tracks through Wingate Woods have now been transformed into a new route allowing easy access for a range of users.

District of Easington councillor for Wingate David Chaytor was joined by local residents to officially open the trail, which is part of a £60,000 improvement programme for the woodland funded by Liveability.

Other work on the site includes new fencing with motorcycle barriers to cut down on anti-social use of the area.  A partnership called ‘Friends of Wingate Woodland’, made up of local residents, District and Parish Councils, Wingate partnership, the police and the District of Easington’s Anti-social Behaviour Unit, has been set up to manage the area once the work is completed.

Gary Shears, District of Easington Council’s Countryside Officer, said “The fifteen-month project aimed to open the woodland for more people to enjoy, even those who need wheelchair access. Our goal now is to ensure that the area remains a pleasant and safe place for everyone. We are therefore hoping that local people will come forward to be volunteers rangers with Friends of Wingate Woodland and help with the upkeep pf the area and monitor the wildlife using the site.”

If you would like to volunteer call Gary on (0191) 5274754

Ropery Walks

This project has made a number of improvements to the Ropery Walks area including a new footpath, erection of railings, removal of graffiti, a rationalisation of pedestrian crossing points, a tidy up of the allotments boundary and entrance and a paved area and linking path in front of the new play area.

The improvements have addressed road safety, traffic management and improve a well-used pedestrian route and will lift the visual impact of the area and improve access at this strategically important site.

Potto Street Car Parking

Funding was provided for a much needed car-parking area at Potto Street in Shotton. 

A car park has been designed and built to accommodate ten cars including two spaces for disabled drivers. This has made parking both safer and easier for Shotton residents and will hopefully reduce the number of traffic accidents. A new fence has been erected and the area is now more visually appealing to those overlooking properties and the surrounding community. Both local Traders and residents are pleased with the impact.

It was a priority for local people that they had a safe route to the local shopping area and this is a good example of the how liveability can be used to address small works that have large impact on the lives of local residents.

Northlea Allotments

The project consisted of the clearance of existing and derelict allotments and the incorporation of the area into Seaham Town Park. Existing allotment holders were relocated and the land was cleared, regraded, seeded and planted. A footpath link into the park was created and a bridge over the stream.

The initial clearance works have removed an eyesore from this area of Seaham and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Construction of a footpath will allow residents of Northlea to easily access the leisure and recreational facilities in the Town Park and will be a useful footpath link from other parts of the town.

Dalton-le-Dale Community Centre

Liveability funding will replace the existing building, which is in a dilapidated state and an eyesore to the community, with a new building constructed of Cedar Wood. This will fit with in with the streetscape of the village.

The proposed new building will be sustainable by the Management Committee and serve both the local and wider community through the provision of events and activities.

Moore Terrace Shotton

37 Moore Terrace was abandoned by the owner in the early to mid nineties and has suffered from repeated break-ins and is now extensively fire damaged leaving internal floors and the roof in an unsound condition.  This house is in the middle of a terrace of six houses, originally council owned but now two are in private ownership including 37.  As a result of the blight only two houses in the block are occupied and the block is clearly a cause of blight in the neighbourhood and an obstacle to redevelopment plans.  This project aims to address this problem.

Shotton Community Park

With the help of Liveability funding and working with Shotton Partnership and District of Easington, the Parish Council has managed to complete the new replacement multi-use sports facility at the Community Park on the old tennis court site.

The scheme was completed at the end of March 2006.  This facility has improved and enhanced the existing facilities at the park and provided a resource available to the whole community as well as being made available for use by the local schools.  If the current usage is anything to go by, then the facility has been a great success with hundreds of youngsters using the Tennis, Football, Basketball, Netball and Cricket facilities in a safe and secure environment.