WORK to regenerate three communities across County Durham is already underway, following a funding boost.
It has recently been announced that Peterlee East, Stanley South, and Crook North and Tow Law are to benefit from £20m each through the government’s Pride in Place programme, which will see up to £5bn invested over 10 years in 250 places across the UK.
Durham County Council has been designated by government as the accountable body responsible for delivering the programme in these areas, with the development of its Strategic Place Plans (SPPs) already helping to lay the groundwork for the new funding. The authority is working with its partners to develop the SPPs, which aim to guide long-term improvements across County Durham and ensure investment is shaped by local priorities.
These plans are being informed by the council’s Local Networks – groups of residents, organisations and services that work together to share ideas, support one another, and drive positive change in their communities.
The Pride in Place funding will build on this approach and establish Neighbourhood Boards, which will be closely aligned to existing stakeholder groups to promote a cohesive approach. The boards will include representatives from town councils, community groups, businesses and public services, all working together under the council’s coordination. As the accountable body, Durham County Council will administer the fund, manage all financial governance, and submit regeneration plans to government for approval.
Funding is intended for projects that matter to local people, help to improve public spaces, support community activities and create opportunities that make each area a better place to live, work and grow. It aims to build a shared vision for the future, shaped by local voices and focused on what really makes a difference, whether that’s creating safer streets, supporting young people, improving local facilities, or celebrating what makes each community unique.
Regeneration plans for each area will be developed through close collaboration with Neighbourhood Boards to ensure the plans reflect genuine local priorities and deliver meaningful change. The local authority will then submit these plans to government and take full responsibility for delivery.
Each plan will centre around three core objectives: to build stronger communities that help people to feel proud of their area and safe in their neighbourhood; to create thriving places with busy high streets, a range of local amenities and high-quality physical infrastructure; and to empower people to take back control and have a say over the future of their community.
The council is expected to receive further guidance around these objectives later this year but is already engaging communities as part of its Strategic Place Plans (SPPs) and through its Local Networks.
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism and high streets, said: “As the accountable body for this funding, we will work with government on approvals and take responsibility for delivering every pound of this funding to ensure the best value for money for our communities.
“But accountability doesn’t mean working in isolation. We’re determined to supercharge County Durham’s economy and build better communities, and we’ll do that by putting local voices at the heart of how this money is spent. The Neighbourhood Boards will ensure that happens – bringing together town councils, community groups, and local people to shape regeneration plans that genuinely reflect what matters in Peterlee East, Stanley South, and Crook North and Tow Law.
“Although this funding will boost our work in regenerating these areas, it doesn’t undo the lack of government support for our high streets over many years. Until we can be honest that the national funding system is struggling, councils like ours will remain in an extremely difficult position.
“This collaborative approach is already at the heart of our Strategic Place Plans, with residents and businesses in Stanley being offered the opportunity to help us shape the future of the town and share their thoughts on its strengths, opportunities, challenges, and hopes. With SPPs for Crook and Peterlee also due to start in the coming months, we can get a head start on finding out the priorities of each area and look forward to delivering positive changes.”
The council hopes to receive capacity funding for each of the areas next year, which will allow plans to be further developed.
The first substantive delivery payments are then expected in March 2027.
