LOCAL NEWS
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News from Peterlee, Seaham, Hordon, Easington, Hartlepool, Blackhall, Wingate and the wider East Durham area
A memorial bench that was stolen from its scenic viewpoint at a County Durham reservoir has been replaced by water workers. Christine Sewell, from Sherburn Village, Durham, noticed the bench missing when she visited Tunstall Reservoir, near Wolsingham, in Weardale in...
With over 40,000 North East households on the waiting list for social housing, there’s a desperate need to rapidly build more genuinely affordable homes across the region. A group of North East based housing providers have joined forces to tackle this crisis head on...
A planning enforcement operation has taken place in East Durham following intelligence suggesting breaches of regulations. Durham County Council conducted a two-day operation in Station Town and Wingate, supported by Durham Constabulary and the Environment Agency...
The prospect of schools and homes in Horden being heated by clean, green geothermal energy moved a step closer this week after extra funding was given to an innovative plan to extract energy from mine water. Money is being invested in the Horden Minewater project in...
A Durham woman has been left with a bill of more than £500 after being caught selling counterfeit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco. Amanda Alderson, 44, of Laurel Avenue on the Sherburn Road Estate, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court following a prosecution by...
School runs and commutes have become much easier for people living and working in part of County Durham after a walking and cycling route was upgraded. Durham County Council has completed improvements to the path between Old Pit Lane in Newton Hall and Rivergreen at...
A County Durham landlord has been ordered to pay almost £50,000 for failing to adhere to licensing legal requirements on several rental properties, despite numerous warnings. Durham County Council prosecuted Kamran Adil, of Halterburn Close, Gosforth, bringing nine...
A County Durham park is now home to a Roman village…of the virtual variety. The new augmented reality attraction, in Sedgefield’s Hardwick Park, gives visitors the opportunity to meet Roman characters, view buildings, solve puzzles, and make iron tools. It’s all...
Vapes can now be recycled at points across County Durham, thanks to a new scheme. Recycling containers are in place at 12 of the county’s household waste recycling centres, with smaller containers available in 15 community venues. Durham County Council has introduced...
A leisure centre in East Durham is offering free exercise classes this weekend to celebrate its reopening following an ambitious refurbishment. To celebrate the reopening of Peterlee Leisure Centre on Monday 30 October, Durham County Council is inviting the public to...
Leading children's charity, Adoption Matters, one of the largest voluntary adoption agencies in the UK are hosting an adoption information event for anyone interested in adoption. Adoption Matters North East team is hosting a drop-in event during National Adoption...
Councillors will hear about considerable progress being made towards a more sustainable future, as carbon emission reduction efforts in County Durham reach new heights. Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be presented with an update on the authority’s Climate...
Plans for the expansion of a leading science park which would generate millions for the local economy were discussed during a government visit. Victoria Atkins MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, visited The North East Technology Park (NETPark) at Sedgefield, one...
A North East council has been recognised for its commercialisation and entrepreneurship at a national awards ceremony. Durham County Council was selected as a finalist in two categories at this year’s Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards, which...
One of the region’s leading law firms has put the North East on the map with its behind-the-scenes legal work at Infinite Durham. The development is a multi-activity park at Belmont Business Park on the outskirts of Durham city, which is to become home to the first...
Plans to invest £6 million in Horden to support the regeneration of the village are to be shared with residents. Durham County Council is hosting events which began yesterday to update people in Horden on the first phase of its plans to regenerate the area. The events...
An already thriving cluster in County Durham is poised for expansion and to be a key site within a brand-new innovation district. Aykley Heads Business Park, in Durham City, is set to develop and to be part of the new ‘Durham Innovation District,’ which is to be...
East Durham Business Network is delighted to announce the appointment of new co-chairmen to drive forward the group’s activities. Ranjeet Gill and Gursh Kahlon, who co-founded commercial property company Clearwater Developments over ten years ago, replace outgoing...
A company director from a fast growing business in County Durham has signed up Teesside University’s Help to Grow programme. Michael Monkman, Commercial Director at Belmont-based Orca Cleaning Services, was introduced to Lucie Burton, who runs the programme, at East...
In the second year of returning to exam-based assessment since the coronavirus pandemic, Durham County Council has acknowledged the success of pupils receiving their results across the county today. In County Durham, 62.2 per cent of children achieved the pass grade...
East Durham College is thrilled to announce that A Level students at the college’s sixth form, ED6, have achieved some fantastic results this year, including two students securing places at Cambridge and Oxford University for the first time. ED6 Sixth Form, which is...
A video which follows the emotional final journey of a Peterlee man, accompanied by his loyal Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, has reached a global audience of over 850,000 – proving our four-legged companions really are our best friends. Gareth Richards, 36, was...
A North East council has expanded its electric vehicle fleet as part of its aim to achieve net zero. Durham County Council has acquired 29 new electric vehicles (EV) as part of its vehicle replacement programme, which sees vehicles that are due to be renewed replaced...
East Durham College has announced it is set to receive a whopping £1.9m to develop several of its facilities to support the delivery of exciting new T Level training from 2024. This latest wave of capital funding investment, announced by the Department for Education...
Talented students from 15 schools from across County Durham gathered last week at Beamish Hall Hotel for the final of the County Durham Future Business Magnates competition. Organised by Business Durham, the business support service of Durham County Council, the...
Plans for dozens of new homes in a County Durham village are being hailed as a welcome boost to the region’s housing stock. The proposals from local housebuilder believe developments Limited would see a mix of 46 homes developed on land at Hillrise Crescent in Seaton...
Building on the success of the government’s Strategic Development Fund (SDF), which East Durham College led on and successfully delivered a £2.7 million project within a challenging 8-month window, which was designed to help further education providers respond to...
Today, Adoption Matters joins all regional and voluntary adoption agencies across the country to launch a new ‘You Can Adopt’ campaign highlighting the circle of support important to adopters. This new campaign comes as new research reveals that over a third (39%) of...
County Durham-based housing association believe housing is looking for two new non-executive directors to join its board. Valued members Chair Judith Common, Vice Chair Doug Ross and Gurpreet Jagpal will all leave the board later this year after completing their...
Two people have been fined for mis-using Blue Badges after parking in disabled bays on the same street in Hartlepool. Durham County Council took legal action against Karen Summerbell, of Willow Drive in Trimdon Village, after a civil enforcement officer at Hartlepool...
The launch of Dalton Park’s new dog friendly policy proved very popular with two and four legged shoppers alike. A fun filled day saw best behaved dog trials, a doggy selfie spot (with optional doggy dress up), and a pop-up market selling a whole host of canine...
A requirement to keep dogs on leads in cemeteries is among a series of new measures set to come into force in County Durham next week. Durham County Council is renewing its Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Dog Control, which it first introduced in 2017. The...
Places to eat in County Durham have signed up to an innovative new scheme which will see carbon ratings included on their menus. Durham County Council has launched its second Food for the Planet campaign which is aimed at encouraging both eating establishments and...
A County Durham man who paid no council tax for nine years has been convicted following an investigation which found he had £98,000 in a savings account. Anthony Taylor, 58, of Gloucester Terrace in Haswell appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court for sentencing after...
The North East’s largest council has bolstered its road sweeping fleet in order to keep communities clean and tidy. Durham County Council has taken on three road sweepers that will be deployed in town centres and elsewhere, as part of its work to help communities look...
A new modern business village based on the success of a previous one in Cramlington is taking shape in County Durham. Endeavour Village Peterlee is a business community where highbrid units are offered that are totally flexible, energy-efficient, low start-up cost...
A vision for the future of public rights of way (PROW) in County Durham will go before councillors next week. Durham County Council has drawn up its fourth ‘Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP)’, which will be considered by the authority’s Cabinet when it...
Nissan has brought the world of engineering and manufacturing to life for 1,700 youngsters with its inspirational two-week Schools Engineering event Children from 35 schools visited Nissan Sunderland Plant to see how car manufacturing has evolved over the past 30...
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination has pulled out all the stops to create an egg-cellent two-day line up of free fun this Easter. Taking place on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th April, the celebration will include giant bouncing bunnies, roller skating chicks, arts...
A charity which provides vital support to individuals and families is urging employees from businesses across the area to contact them if they need any help or advice as the cost of living crisis continues to impact on so many people. The team at Peterlee-based East...
Five people with a range of life skills and experiences have started an exciting new development programme which could turn them into board members of the future. County Durham-based believe housing recently welcomed the first cohort to its Board Trainee Programme, as...
People in County Durham whose homes are not connected to a mains gas supply are set to benefit following the success of a funding bid. A total of 250 properties will be eligible for work to make them more energy efficient after Durham County Council was successful in...
This World Social Work Week (20 to 24 March), a woman working in County Durham has spoken of how her own experiences influenced her decision to become a social worker. Aimee Smith started working permanently as a social worker with Durham County Council after a...
Young people in County Durham have been influential in developing a new strategy for children’s services. Durham County Council has launched its new children’s strategy, Growing Up in County Durham (GUiCD), for 2023-2025. Building on its previous strategy for...
Councillors will be asked to agree proposals which will set out a sustainable future for an East Durham school next week. Durham County Council’s Cabinet will hear proposals to secure a positive outcome for Wellfield School, in Wingate. The plans would see the school...
People are being invited to have their say on potential changes to home to school transport arrangements in County Durham. Durham County Council currently provides home to school transport for almost 9,000 children and young people across the county every day. Growing...
A further 150 electric vehicle charging points are set to be installed across County Durham. Durham County Council has been successful in securing an additional £3.1 million from the government to expand the county’s charging infrastructure. The authority is one of...
Up to £90,000 in grants is up for grabs from believe housing’s latest round of its community investment programme. Not-for-profit organisations in County Durham have one week left to apply to the housing provider for a Large Capital Community Grant, of between £10,000...
Three County Durham men have been left with a combined bill of more than £3,500 after being convicted of waste offences. The cases of Robert Wright, Stephen David Keers, and Kieran Fisher were dealt with at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court following prosecutions by Durham...
A £6 million investment to deliver more reliable journeys for passengers travelling along the East Coast Main Line through Durham station is now complete. Over five weekends, from Saturday 14 January to Sunday 12 February, engineers have replaced around 860 metres of...
Leaving their family home after half a century was a wrench for Malcolm and Barbara Clement, until they found the ideal new bungalow with believe housing. The couple lived in their previous house, in Shildon, County Durham, for 53 years. But when the time came to get...
Cases of fly-tipping continue to fall across County Durham. Levels are at the lowest they have ever been following efforts by Durham County Council to tackle the issue through education and enforcement. In the last year, fewer than 6,000 incidents were recorded across...
A company which failed to declare its interest in a property which had health and vermin risks has been ordered to pay more than £1,800. Durham County Council had reason to inspect a house in Horden in August last year following concerns around the state and condition...
People are being invited to have their say on a review of dog control measures in County Durham. Durham County Council introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Dog Control in 2017 in response to community concerns about irresponsible dog ownership. The...
The North East’s largest local authority is doing its bit to reduce plastic pollution whilst making County Durham’s roads smoother and safer, for longer. In the course of last year’s resurfacing programme, Durham County Council covered more than 126,000 square metres...
Parents in County Durham are being reminded they are running out of time to apply for a primary school place for their child. The deadline for applications for the next academic year, which starts in September, is Sunday 15 January 2023. For a child to be eligible to...
Care workers in County Durham are lending their voices – and faces – to a recruitment campaign to help fill thousands of vacancies in the adult social care sector. The ‘Made with Care North East’ campaign brings together all 12 North East local authorities, including...
A North East council has vowed to keep doing all it can to help people amid the rising cost of living. Durham County Council has also committed to continuing to work with partners to assist residents, after some of the challenges facing them, including child poverty...
A North East council and some of its local care homes are celebrating after winning national awards for their use of a digital social care system. Durham County Council and care homes it works with have won two accolades at the national Reminiscence Interactive...
National housebuilder Keepmoat has completed a Santa signposting initiative to ensure that families who have moved home since last Christmas will receive presents at their new address. The national homebuilder has created a list and, after checking it twice,...
Residents across County Durham are reminded of some changes to bin collections over Christmas and New Year. Durham County Council’s collections will take place as normal up to and including Friday 23 December. From Tuesday 27 December to Friday 30 December,...
A bold and ambitious new strategy that will shape County Durham’s economy over the next decade and beyond has been officially adopted by the county council. The County Durham Inclusive Economic Strategy sets a clear, long-term vision for the area’s economy up to 2035,...
A leisure centre in East Durham is set to undergo significant works to enhance its sports and leisure offer. Durham County Council will be carrying out works at Peterlee Leisure Centre in the new year as part of its Leisure Transformation Scheme. The works will...
Councillors will hear how the County Durham Plan has influenced development, housing, and actions against climate change in County Durham. Next week, Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be presented with an Annual Monitoring Report on the County Durham Plan, which...
With darker nights and more wintry weather, residents are being urged to report highways issues to help keep the county moving. Durham County Council is delivering its annual programme of work to maintain the county’s roads and footpaths, with teams from across the...
A North East council is reporting a huge increase in fines against flytippers and a big drop in flytipping overall. Durham County Council, which was taken over by cross-party joint administration last year has made major changes to its warden structure and is cracking...
Plans for a £11.5 million development of affordable homes in a County Durham village have been given the green light by local planning officials. The news follows unanimous approval of a scheme submitted by North East planning experts Hedley Planning Services on...
A new housing development in Bowburn will officially launch to the public next month. Bellway is opening the doors to a sales office at Clarence Gate on Saturday 3 December, giving potential buyers the first chance to visit the site off Rosalind Franklin Way. The...
A former County Durham coal mine could be used to grow food and support local businesses in Horden. Durham County Council is working alongside East Durham Trust, the Coal Authority, East Durham Business Services and community representatives to identify ways in which...
A Peterlee care home has been praised by industry regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – after inspectors made an unannounced visit. Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, was given an overall “Good” rating in their latest CQC report, which asked if the...
Access to vital water safety equipment at a community pond in County Durham is being put at risk due to incidents of anti-social behaviour. Durham County Council highlighted the issue to partners at a recent Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny...
Two men have been ordered to pay over £1,000 for selling illegal cigarettes and tobacco in County Durham. Durham County Council’s Trading Standards team took legal action against Kenneth Allen after he was found to be selling illegal cigarettes from his home in...
A map which depicts thousands of miles of public rights of way which residents and visitors can make use of has reached its 70th birthday. Durham County Council’s Definitive Map was created in November 1952. It is a legal record indicating the position and status of...
An employee at the North East’s largest council has claimed a national award for helping to put data at the heart of the digital transformation of adult social care. Marion Ingleby, strategic manager in adult social care with Durham County Council, won the Leadership...
Customers of believe housing who struggle to travel to work or training can now apply for their own low-cost mode of transport. The affordable housing provider has awarded £40,000 to Wheels 2 Work County Durham, a moped-loan scheme which helps people access...
Parents in County Durham are being reminded they are running out of time to apply for secondary school places for their children. The deadline for applications for the next academic year, which starts in September 2023, is Monday 31 October 2022. For a child to be...
Funders have changed the direction of a £25,000 grants scheme, so the cash can go directly to County Durham projects that address the rising cost of living. Affordable housing provider believe housing has temporarily closed its community grants scheme, so the money...
County Durham-based believe housing has taken on twice as many apprentices as it planned to this year – because the applicants were just too good to turn away. When the housing association launched its most recent apprenticeship recruitment drive a record 266 people...
Citrus Durham has marked a major milestone in the development of the 650,000 sq. ft Connect warehouse and logistics development within its Integra 61 mixed-use project at J61 of the A1(M), Durham. Durham City MP Mary Kelly Foy was invited to site to mark the event by...
The winners of the Boutique Hotelier Awards 2022 were announced at a glittering live ceremony in London last night and Seaham Hall's Serenity Spa was mong the winners. The awards took place at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel following months of anticipation, with 15 awards...
East Durham Garden Centre will this weekend open its doors to this year's Christmas department. This is one of the garden centre's most highly anticipated events and sees thousands visit during the lead-up to Christmas. The launch will happen this Saturday, October 8....
The North East’s largest council has scooped an honour at an annual awards ceremony which celebrates the work of public services. Durham County Council won the Best Innovation or Demand Management Initiative Award at the Association for Public Service Excellence...
In 2019, the government pledged to recruit an additional 50,000 nurses to the NHS by 2024. But what about other roles – like pharmacists and healthcare scientists – which form the ‘hidden backbone’ of the health sector? A new group has recently secured £2.7 million,...
The North East SeaScapes partnership will aid the fight against marine pollution as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean 2022. Held between September 17-25, the general public are urged to attend five beach cleans that the organisation...
Specsavers Hartlepool is offering customers the chance to recycle their glasses and contact lenses in-store for free. The new initiative comes after the high-street opticians teamed up with recycling experts MYgroup to install recycling collection boxes at Specsavers...
Twelve primarily public sector organisations in County Durham which spend nearly £1 billion between them are working together to maximise benefits to the local area from their expenditure, councillors will hear next week. Durham County Council’s Cabinet is to receive...
Bellway held an art competition at Wingate Primary School to spread awareness of health and safety among children in the village. All 362 children at the school took part and created their own posters about safety at a construction site. The winners of the competition...
Parents whose children are due to start primary or secondary school next year can start applying for a place from next week. Durham County Council will be accepting applications for the 2023/24 school year from Monday, 5 September 2022. If a child was born between 1...
A new waste clearance team will remove rubbish from the yards and gardens of people who fail to comply with notices to do so. Durham County Council’s neighbourhood wardens previously relied on the authority’s clean and green teams to follow them into particular areas...
Once again, students have achieved superb GCSE results across a range of subjects at Dene Academy. This year, Dene students have excelled in French, History, English, Science and Mathematics. Furthermore, 94% of students achieved a Grade 9-4 in Art, 93% of students...
County Durham’s roads and footpaths are on track for a £20 million investment over the next three years. Durham County Council has agreed to fund improvements in four priority areas, as identified by the Cabinet member responsible for highways. The county’s...
Hundreds of affordable homes are under construction as a north-east housing association continues to realise its ambitious new build programme. The not-for-profit housing association believe housing has more than 18,000 homes, stretching from Durham’s coast to the...
A County Durham charity that works to improve the lives of families living in the county’s former pit villages has received a four-figure funding boost from the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation. East Durham Trust provides a range...
Bids totalling almost £100 million have been submitted to government to help enhance transport, regeneration, town centres and culture across County Durham. Durham County Council has submitted the bids to the Levelling Up Fund for five of its parliamentary...
With just days left to go until Seaham Food Festival, organisers are reminding festival goers to plan their journey before they travel. The Durham County Council-run event will return to County Durham’s coastline this weekend, on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August. With...
More than £1million in funding has been secured to help almost 300 unemployed young people get into work and improve their skills. Durham County Council and Groundwork North East have been successful in winning a £1.2million bid awarded by the Youth Futures...
Families in two County Durham communities are learning how to cook healthy meals on a budget, thanks to believe housing. The housing association provided funding to the Family Dinners project, a five-week course taking place at ,Seascapes Primary School in Peterlee,...
East Durham College is delighted to announce it has been successful in a recent T Level capital funding bid, which will see major investment in its Catering & Hospitality, Construction and Engineering & Manufacturing provision. The multimillion-pound award...
Children are helping to raise awareness of the potentially devastating impact of deliberate fires, in a bid to reduce incidents in their communities. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and believe housing have teamed up to run the Phoenix Fire...
A multimillion pound project is underway to make homes across County Durham warmer, greener and cheaper to run. The housing association believe housing is upgrading more than 1,000 properties with a series of measures to make them more energy efficient. Contractor...
The Queen’s Baton Relay returns to England this summer when the Queen’s Baton will be carried across the country by inspirational batonbearers, and Scott Wilson-Laing Founder and Owner of award-winning County Durham based WL Distillery has been selected to be one of...
