County residents urged to 'have their say' in future

Durham County Council plans to give communities a greater voice

People living in County Durham could soon be playing a bigger role in the way decisions are reached about their communities.

Durham County Council said it wanted to "empower" local communities, businesses, and stakeholders to be at the heart of shaping future development.

Since 2009, the council has identified, and created, current and future development in the county through masterplans and regeneration frameworks.

But the process was criticised by some councillors who called current masterplans "wish lists".

'Moving on'

Councillor Bill Moist, Independent member for Chester-le-Street South, was critical of the previous process but welcomed the move.

“We have to admit there were no targets. I hope we’re moving on to locally decided target outcomes as a way to regenerate all our towns and villages," he said.

A council report said strategic place plans would replace masterplans with an initial focus on Durham City.

Pilot reviews will then take place in Spennymoor, Shildon and Newton Aycliffe, following the recent £30m in government funding.

'Towns are struggling'

The council said the changing nature of town centres was leading to a greater emphasis on leisure and entertainment, and the ongoing challenges of accessibility and connectivity had paved the way for the new plans.

Councillor Alison Batey, who represents Pelton, said the council has a huge task ahead catering for villages as well as town centres.

“Chester-le-Street has taken a massive hit," she said. "We haven’t got a hope in hell for our villages if the towns are struggling."