Budget confirmation for £20m town centre plans

A 10-year regeneration scheme is in place for Spennymoor town centre

The regeneration of a town centre will continue after the chancellor confirmed the investment still needed for the work.

Durham County Council will still receive £20m to invest in Spennymoor, which was promised through the previous government's Long-term Plan for Towns fund.

Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in Wednesday's Budget the scheme would continue, but would be "reformed into a new regeneration programme".

Councillor Elizabeth Scott said she was pleased the work carried out to identify "key improvements" for the town had been recognised in the Budget.

The council has been consulting on its plans for Spennymoor since October last year.

The money is to be used over the next 10 years in an attempt to revive the high street, tackle anti-social behaviour, improve transport and grow the economy.

A total of £7m has already been invested in the town centre, the council said, including in the redevelopment of the former Festival Walk shopping centre site and a leisure centre.

Improving the high street is one of the main objectives of the regeneration plans

Revised guidance and new strategic objectives for the Long-term Plan for Towns fund are set to be published soon to align it with the new government's priorities.

However, the council said details from Whitehall indicated it would still receive the promised £20m.

"We look forward to finding out more details to allow us to plan our next steps," said Scott.