Councillors approve £25 million County Durham investment plan

Councillors have approved a £25 million programme they say will revitalise communities across County Durham.

Durham County Council’s cabinet has rubberstamped the Towns and Villages Investment Plan.

Officials say the scheme commits £20 million to the county’s most disadvantaged communities, with a further £5 million proposed for further communities to help them recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Furthermore, council bosses say approval of the plan will maximise more than £750 million of investment already committed, which includes the £10.5 million opening of Horden Rail Station.

Councillor Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “This decision demonstrates our unwavering commitment to regeneration and ensures the money we spend delivers the best possible outcomes for communities across the county.

“Our Towns and Villages strategy is about working with residents and businesses to identify and tackle issues affecting their communities, whether that be revitalising high streets, improving transport infrastructure or bringing empty properties back into use.

“We have already committed £750 million to projects aimed at enhancing our towns and villages and this additional £25 million investment will provide an extra level of support to some of our most deprived communities.

“We know that in the midst of a pandemic, this investment and our wider regeneration work is more important than ever.

“In fact, it is vital to creating and safeguarding jobs and ensuring our towns and villages recover, prosper and are places people are proud to call home.”