'Ambitious' town centre plan signed off

The masterplan includes residential units and commercial space

Plans to transform a town centre with new homes and shops have been approved by council leaders.

The £13m scheme for Billingham on Teesside includes removing tenants and demolishing the West Precinct, part of Queensway South, and old library buildings.

These would be replaced by 160 new homes, new commercial space, and improved infrastructure and public spaces.

Cabinet member for regeneration and housing Nigel Cooke told councillor it was "clear to everyone that parts of Billingham are in need of investment".

Mr Cooke said it was an "ambitious plan" and would address the oversupply of retail space.

“We’ve been working with the town centre owners to reach positive conclusions so we can bring about that transformational change that’s needed," he said.

'Blown away'

Cabinet members also approved plans for a new sports hub on the former Billingham Campus site.

Grass and artificial pitches, an athletics track, changing rooms and café are planned, with funding coming from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and an application to the Football Foundation.

Cabinet member for culture, leisure and health Steve Nelson said: “I'm absolutely blown away with the sheer scale of vision for the development.

“Post-Covid fitness facilities have seen a significant increase and I’m sure this development will be welcomed by the people of Billingham and throughout the borough.”

Further discussions concerning the proposals, involving confidential financial and business affairs, were held by the cabinet in private, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.