Mining town’s £6m investment plan approved

Multi-million pound plans to regenerate a former mining town have been approved.

Durham County Council has agreed to invest £6 million to tackle housing issues in the village of Hawdon.

The authority intends to purchase the property on Third Street and either redevelop it into high-quality housing or demolish it to build new housing.

Despite the plans, Labor councilors have been accused of “degrading” the area.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the redevelopment includes improvements to walking and cycling routes to Peterlee town centre, Howden Station and the Durham Heritage Coast.

The long-term goal is to support people in need of housing by addressing the problem of vacant properties and large numbers of private landlords.

But Liberal Democrat MP Mark Wilkes accused Labor of leaving the area behind.

He said: “In 2015 Labor was offered 130 properties in numbered streets in Howden for £1.

“Labour refused and left the area to make matters worse. Labor had a chance to start regenerating Horden but completely failed and the cost of solving the problem increased significantly.”

But Labor said it produced its own Howden Master Plan and Leveling Up Investment Bid in March 2021, which the Liberal Democrats rejected.

Councilor Kevin Shaw said: ‘Labour’s plans to regenerate Horden were agreed and funding was ready, but this Tory-led coalition ignored the plans, ignored the bids and made no attempt to do so. “And you ignored the people of Horden.”

“The failure to level up is the fault of Congressman Wilkes and his chaotic coalition colleagues.”

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