BARNARD CASTLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (SECOND...

DRAFT

BARNARD CASTLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

(SECOND DRAFT) APRIL 2012

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CONTENTS

PAGE(S)

1. Introduction and Background 3 - 5 2. Objectives of the Barnard Castle Framework 6 - 7

3. Strategic Context 7 - 10

4. Key Issues and Challenges 10 - 14

5. Our Approach to Delivery 14

6. Project Delivery 15 - 24

Appendix – Delivery Plan

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1. Introduction and Background 1.1 This development framework provides a summary of the detailed programme of

regeneration and investment activity that is taking place or is planned in Barnard Castle. It provides the strategic context which underlies delivery and seeks to establish key principles to co-ordinate and focus investment in the town for housing, retail, leisure and tourism.

1.2 Barnard Castle has a resident population of 6,700 and serves the rural hinterland of

Teesdale with a total population catchment of 24,500. The town has an excellent foundation on which to build and has great potential to develop further as a thriving market town and tourist destination. It has a history of considerable note which it has used as a basis for the creation of a setting for the arts and cultural activities. The town of Barnard Castle evolved during the 12th Century and many of its distinctive buildings and features remain intact today including fine Georgian buildings and narrow alleyways and yards that tell of medieval times. Most of the concentrated central areas of the town are covered by Conservation Area status with many listed buildings including the Witham Hall and The Bowes Museum. The projects proposed within this document must pay full regard to the cultural and heritage significance of the town but also look to develop new activities and employment opportunities to the benefit of the local community and the surrounding area.

Boundary of Conservation Area

1.3 The town is located 25 miles south west of Durham City, 16 miles west of Darlington

and around 50 miles from the heart of the Lake District. It is accessible from all directions (A688 from the north, A1 from the south and along the A66 from east or west). It has road connections to Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and central County Durham via the A688 and to Darlington and Teesside by the A67. The town is located 4 miles from the A66 with access to both the M6 to the west and the A1(M) to the east. The B6278 connects Barnard Castle with Middleton-in-Teesdale. Rail access is

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via Bishop Auckland (15 miles) and Darlington (East Coast Mainline 16 miles). There are regular bus services to Darlington and Bishop Auckland.

1.4 Standing above the River Tees, it is a historically and architecturally important town.

The town acts as a key rural service centre supporting local residents and businesses as well as smaller villages and hamlets found within the surrounding dales. The most significant employer in Barnard Castle is GlaxoSmithKline which has a large pharmaceutical manufacturing plant on the outskirts of the town which employs around 1,000 people. GSK has invested over £80 million into the plant since 2006, and the company has expended further sums in 2011, upgrading and investing in buildings and machinery. The company is investing a further £15 million in 20121, primarily in the form of a centre of excellence in the manufacture of dermatological products, following GSK’s acquisition of Stiefel in 2009.

1.5 The town performs strongly in its role as a local employment centre and as an

attractive settlement with the market strength and land capacity to absorb more housing. Consequently, the County Durham Plan (Core Strategy Policy Directions 2011) proposes allocations of new employment land and new housing for Barnard Castle. The town has a healthy independent retail sector with a particularly strong representation in antiques, arts and crafts that attracts creative businesses. Businesses based on Harmire Business Park include Honeymans, a pharmaceutical process support company, and S&A Group, a steel fabrication company, whilst other key employers in the town include: Anthony Nixon Furniture, Norman Richardson House, Hadrian Healthcare, Private Childcare Businesses, Morrisons Supermarket. Deerbolt Young Offenders Institute is located on a former army camp, employing around 400 people. The town is also an administrative centre for Durham County Council with approximately 80 people employed in public sector administration roles. Agriculture plays an important role, both in the local economy but also presents the visual context & high quality landscape surrounding the Town.

1.6 Broadband infrastructure have been successfully rolled out by Networks by Wireless and

this represents an important step in providing the necessary environment to encourage knowledge based businesses to develop within the area and the roll out of broadband can be used to encourage knowledge based businesses to develop within the town. There has been some evidence of an increase in the number of creative and digital industries being attracted to the area through the businesses using NeST. The catchment area for the businesses operating from NeST is from Newcastle to North Yorkshire.

1.7 Barnard Castle is located in the picturesque area of Teesdale and tourism is

important to the local economy. The town has several selling points to market itself to potential visitors and tourists, including;

• Its setting as a Georgian market town in a beautiful landscape and the gateway to Upper Teesdale and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty;

• Barnard Castle – the ruined Norman castle after which the town is named, in a stunning position overlooking the river. There are magnificent views of the ruins on entering town from the west;

• The Bowes Museum – an iconic museum of international importance built in the style of a French Chateau in the 19th

century by John and Josephine Bowes and housing collections of art and textiles;

• Historic connections with Dickens, Walter Scott and the artists Turner and Cottman;

1 Source – The Northern Echo 23

rd March 2012 “Barnard Castle GSK plant gave its best shot”

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• Interesting historic buildings such as The Butter Market, Blagraves and Witham Hall;

• Events such as The Barnard Castle Meet, The Barney Big Bash music festival and the Teesdale Steam Show; and,

• A rural hub of Middlesbrough’s Digital City through NeST Studio and Digital Hub.

1.8 There is a clear heritage tourism corridor being established in the County which is

anchored, in the south, by Barnard Castle. The corridor encompasses Barnard Castle (Bowes Museum & the castle) – Bishop Auckland (Auckland Palace) – Durham (Durham Castle & Cathedral) – Beamish (Living Museum of the North).

1.9 Recent investment in the Town includes the establishment of the Teesdale Hub and

new lighting for the Castle ruins. 1.10 The County Council has prepared this regeneration masterplan to support and guide

the implementation of a strategy for the future development and regeneration of Barnard Castle. To date, a detailed analysis of existing social, economic and environmental conditions has been undertaken. This locally-specific evidence base supplements evidence gathered to inform the Local Plan process. The framework has the broader function of showcasing the amount of projects that are underway to enhance the town and improve the offer for both local residents and visitors. It will act as an incentive to potential investors in the town to highlight the amount of work that is ongoing and provide confidence in the town’s future.

1.11 The key tasks and outputs for the framework were established as;

• A clear statement of the strategic case for ongoing regeneration activity in Barnard Castle to support the town and its rural hinterland.

• An assessment to underlie and justify, in terms of market demand and deliverability, any proposed projects alongside a review of underutilised land assets.

• An assessment of current strengths and weaknesses and the identification of opportunities for future development to continue regeneration initiatives together with an assessment of the area’s continued ability to meet investor and occupier demands.

• The formulation of a development framework to list key development opportunities, options, anticipated costs and returns, timescales and risks.

The core aims of the framework are to: o Focus and co-ordinate the regeneration activities in Barnard Castle and assist the

enabling of a delivery mechanism for the various regeneration projects; o To input into the delivery of the emerging Local Plan and Community Infrastructure

Plan and draw together the strategic and policy drivers for development and regeneration within Barnard Castle;

o Assist in the consultation process with partners, stakeholders and the community; o Assist in taking proposals forward with investors, developers and landowners; and, o Raise Barnard Castle’s profile in order to stimulate further investment activity.

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Objectives of the Barnard Castle Framework 2.1 This regeneration masterplan seeks to express the County Council’s desire to

stimulate regeneration activity and to guide investment and development in Barnard Castle, with a focus on enhancing the town centre, and to build upon the town’s potential for further regeneration, visitor and investment activity. It is designed to secure the creation of a vibrant town centre, respecting the town’s history and heritage. The work which underlies the masterplan has examined the specific needs of Barnard Castle, together with the range of potential development opportunities that exist in the town and has devised a delivery plan to make provision for a series of key, linked physical regeneration projects which have the potential to have a catalytic effect in raising Barnard Castle’s profile and economic performance. This work also involved an assessment of infrastructure needs associated with the town.

2.2 The framework also draws upon previous work undertaken by the County Council,

Teesdale Area Partnership, Barnard Castle Vision Regeneration Partnership, Barnard Castle Town Council, Barney Retail Guild and Teesdale Marketing. The framework demonstrates how development can be brought forward in a phased manner to benefit the town’s economy whilst enhancing, simultaneously, the town’s built environment.

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The key drivers which underlie the framework include:

o Providing a sustainable and vibrant town centre with a focus on deliverability, creating key opportunities for change by securing definitive proposals for redevelopment, development or refurbishment of land and premises;

o Establishing a clear set of priority projects together with a realistic delivery plan which reflects both market demand, investor appetite and availability of sources of finance;

o Promoting the diversification of the local economy and employment growth, led by the private sector;

o Developing the tourism and leisure offer and asset base, most notably in relation to The Bowes Museum, the town centre, restored Witham Hall (evening economy), Castle, riverside walks and the proposed pedestrian suspension bridge project;

o Consolidating the population and expenditure base and improving the balance and mix of the housing offer to include market for sale, intermediate tenure and rented, which would in turn help to underpin a sustainable local economy, retaining young people whilst providing for a high proportion of elderly residents;

o Optimising the environmental, social and economic sustainability of Barnard Castle through the design and phasing of the developments and the implementation process; and,

o Ensuring that key stakeholders, in particular those using the town centre, are positively engaged in the process and that the final outcomes are ones which local residents and businesses have confidence and pride in.

3. Strategic Context 3.1 In March 2012, the Government issued the National Planning Policy Framework.

This new guidance requires the County Council to prepare a Local Plan and local councils have the option to prepare Neighbourhood Plans, which reflect the needs and priorities of their communities. Durham County Council is currently in the process of developing the Local Plan. The development of the Local Plan is based on an extensive and comprehensive evidence base which is available to view on the Council’s website at http://www.durham.gov.uk/ldf . The evidence that underpins the preparation of the Local Plan also supports this regeneration masterplan.

3.2 This Masterplan is being produced to help support the emerging Local Plan which is

the key policy document which will set out the strategic vision and objectives for the County over the next 15 to 20 years.

3.3 The strategic importance of Barnard Castle is recognised within the County Durham

Regeneration Strategy which aims to embed a “Whole Town” approach to regeneration activity and unlock the full potential of the settlement and its communities. This strategy recognises that west Durham constitutes one of four areas of opportunity within the county, taking into account spatial and economic considerations, housing, labour and travel-to-learn markets together with socio-economic characteristics.

3.4 In recent years, the Council, the Area Action Partnership, Barnard Castle Vision

Regeneration Partnership, Barney Retail Guild and other partners have continued to deliver the regeneration agenda for Barnard Castle. A further partnership, Heart of Teesdale, has recently been established to enhance the area’s landscape environment.

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3.5 Barnard Castle Vision was established in 2006 (as a partnership of interested organisations) to lead a 20-year programme of economic regeneration activities within the town. Membership of the partnership board includes representatives from the education, media, private business sectors and Durham County Council. The governance of the Barnard Castle Vision was endorsed by DCC Cabinet in September 2011. The Vision has been responsible for a range projects which have delivered over £3 million of regeneration funding to Barnard Castle to date. The key achievements are:

• Building the Digital Dale broadband infrastructure;

• Preparing comprehensive designs and directing the redevelopment of the Witham Hall;

• Securing Heritage Lottery Funding for £87,000 of landscape development funding. This initial funding enabled the Vision to secure a full HLF grant of £1.9m to enhance the landscape of Barnard Castle and the surrounding area;

• Creating NeST gallery and digital studio on the site of a former car salesroom on Newgate; connecting with large scale investment projects at Digital City in Middlesbrough to create new opportunities for businesses in Teesdale;

• Investing in a programme of shop front restoration and signage for retailers;

• Procuring a masterplan for Shaw Bank and detailed studies to bring improvements to the streetscape, transport and access for the town; and,

• Investing in tourism and local food projects to help increase visitor numbers and provide vital help for local retail and service providers such as B&Bs and hotels.

3.6 The Heart of Teesdale Partnership is a major project, funded primarily through the

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and with a £3.1 million programme of projects to be delivered over the next 5 years. In late Spring 2010, the HLF approved development funding of £87,200 for a Stage 1 project to focus on the landscape of mid Teesdale, covering an area along the Tees Valley and River Greta from Eggleston to Winston including Barningham, Bowes and Barnard Castle. Approval to the Stage 2 bid, covering the main programme of activity, was granted in October 2011 and the projects are being delivered. The broad objectives of the Partnership are:

• To bring back into focus the unique characteristics of the area and to renew and conserve the views, the walks, rural and town features that make up the landscape as a whole;

• To involve the local community and increase the sense of pride and ownership, through a new volunteer group with local wardens to help with the renewal and care of important sites, adoption of views and sites of special interest;

• To extend the Barnard Castle Landscape Appraisal across the whole area, bringing together the parishes, educational, social, environmental, and commercial bodies in support;

• To ensure the longevity of the project by investing in education, skills and access; and,

• To mirror HLF’s objectives focus on heritage, landscape and environmental goals, noting concerns to focus funding on areas where deprivation occurs, particularly recognising the rural dimension.

Area Action Partnership

3.7 Teesdale Area Action Partnership (AAP) offers a way of engaging with local people and working in partnership with organisations that operate within the area. It covers a population of 24,500 including Barnard Castle but extending into the wider dale.

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3.8 TAP is currently working in the following priority areas:

• Children and Young People

• Job Prospects

• Tourism

• Natural & Built Environment

3.9 TAP has already established a successful record of partnership working and attracting match funding to supplement its four core budgets, which are:

• Area Budget of circa £120,000. The Area Budget is an annual allocation which is made to each AAP to support community led initiatives to meet local needs. The Area Budget has been provided to encourage community participation in decision making. The budget of £146,353 was used for twelve different projects in 2010/11 aimed at addressing issues within the first three priorities listed above.

• Neighbourhood Budget which is an annual allocation of £25,000 to each of Durham County Council’s elected members in the TAP area to support the improvement of priority social, economic and environmental activities. There are 6 County Council elected members within the TAP area, equating to a potential spending power of £150,000. For 2011/12, a range Neighbourhood Budget funded projects were implemented, equating to a spend of £97,294. Projects in Barnard Castle included investments in sports, play and community facilities.

• Highways Budget is an annual allocation of £6,000, which is made to each Durham County Council elected member and is designed to impact on priorities identified within the Local Transport Plan.

• Members’ Initiative Fund is an annual allocation of £2,000 to each Durham County Council elected member, with the aim of tackling neighbourhood priorities in a dynamic and proactive way. It is there to support community and voluntary groups to develop their effectiveness and support them to respond to community and neighbourhood needs.

3.10 The emerging spatial requirements from the preparation of the Local Plan establish a

number of targets for provision in Barnard Castle via a series of studies which review the capacity of retail space, employment land, housing requirements and infrastructure needs.

In summary, the emerging key requirements for Barnard Castle to the year 2030 are as follows;

o Bringing forward a series of sites, in a phased release to meet market demand and an identified target of 400 new homes. This takes account of previous housing delivery rates achieved in Barnard Castle, the town's strong housing market attractiveness and affordable housing requirement, balanced with its relative geographic isolation from much of the remainder of the County and its ability to absorb further housing.;

o A strong focus on the vitality and quality of the town centre together with the promotion of a number of key projects for a mix of redevelopment, regeneration, community and tourism purposes;

o Barnard Castle is identified as a local employment market. In order to accommodate future employment growth over the next 20 years a requirement of 25 hectares has been identified. This consists primarily of a new extension adjoining Glaxo Smithkline at Shaw Bank. The remaining land required can be sourced from existing, vacant plots on the Harmire and Stainton Grove Industrial Estates;

o There are no pressing requirements for the provision of a new convenience

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supermarket in Barnard Castle which is, in any event, constrained by the lack of suitable town centre sites. The town would also find it difficult to compete for new comparison or bulky goods retail developments given the strength of performance at Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Teesside Park. The emphasis is therefore upon retail distinctiveness rather than attracting a volume of new development floorspace. This should not however preclude opportunities for more convenience retailing should appropriate sites become available;

o Delivery of the key projects contained in the programme of activity of the Heart of Teesdale Partnership to conserve the natural environment, increase community participation and learning and increase training opportunities;

o To build upon community infrastructure and the Digital Dale broadband service; and, o To enhance the town’s tourism offer and to create improved links to the emerging

corridor of tourist activity in the county.

4. Key Issues and Challenges 4.1 We have prepared a comprehensive socio-economic evidence base to support this

delivery plan. The key findings from this evidence base relate to the Teesdale area (within which Barnard Castle is the primary settlement) and are as follows:

• 96% of residents are satisfied with the area as a place to live. This is the highest level of satisfaction across the county. Crimes rates are lower than the national average. The area also has a higher average household income compared to the remainder of the county.

• Unemployment levels are lower than the national average and unemployment here has been falling at a faster rate than elsewhere in County Durham. The majority of businesses employ fewer than 10 people and, between 2005 and 2008, there was a 4.8% increase in the number of businesses operating in Teesdale.

• Educational achievement at both primary and secondary schools is better than the national average.

• Life expectancy is higher than the national average and Teesdale has a higher proportion of people aged 45+. The number of elderly residents is expected to grow and this is a challenge for future health and housing provision.

4.2 An analysis of the baseline studies undertaken to date, has assessed Barnard

Castle’s potential to respond to the wider agenda for growth across County Durham. Barnard Castle finds itself in an advantageous position, given that it offers a high quality natural environment, a gateway to the North Pennines AONB, built environment heritage, a relatively affluent population, a strong housing market and potential for growth in terms of housing, business space, creative industries and tourism.

4.3 In order that Barnard Castle strengthens its role as a visitor destination, the strategic

priorities are to:

• Enhance the existing visitor attractions and develop new ones where markets can be identified;

• Identify growing markets and future target groups, including niche high value markets that relate to the tourism offer in the rural area – such as off road driving, outdoor adventure, mountain biking, shooting;

• Identify and promote appropriate opportunities for hotel development and growth of B&B facilities;

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• Establish clear leadership and mechanisms to engage with and respond to the changing needs of local tourism businesses;

• Recognise the opportunity presented by Barnard Castle’s geographic location on the edge of County Durham and North East England and encourage collaborative working across local authority boundaries (with North Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria and the Tees Valley) where this makes sense for the visitor and product, e.g. long distance walking and cycling, Dales arts festivals etc.;

• Provide coordinated business support, training and career progression and pathways for people working in tourism businesses;

• Grow large scale festivals and events building on existing successes such as Food Festival, Theatre Festival, Steam Fair and Meet; and,

• Enable tourism businesses to take advantage of Next Generation Access to develop ebusiness.

4.4 In terms of retail activity, analysis undertaken in November 2009 illustrates that, in

terms of attracting new, major retail development or additional national multiples, Barnard Castle is not viewed as a priority by major retail chains or by the property development industry. This is on account of the town’s relatively small resident and catchment area population, spatial restrictions arising from the historic core and the presence of larger towns and larger, established retail centres within a reasonable drivetime.

4.5 Whilst the prospects for new development should not be dismissed out of a hand a

more realistic approach is to build upon Barnard Castle’s retail distinctiveness as a market town. This approach is predicated upon preserving the historic environment of the town, ensuring that there is a good range of independent shops (supported by essential services and facilities) and promoting farmers’ markets, specialist markets and local produce as part of a calendar of events festivals and rural shows.

4.5 Over recent years, the retail vacancy rate has bucked the national trend and has fallen in

Barnard Castle to 4% of properties in the town centre. This compares favourably against evidence from similar historic market towns (for example, Hexham currently has a retail vacancy rate of 5%2). The following maps illustrate the diversity of use classes and type of premises in the centre.

2 Source: Northumberland County Council Planning Department (Hexham Town Centre Healthcheck)

4.7 One of the key challenges facing Barnard Castle town centre is the relationship between the town centre and The Bowes Museum. There is a perception that there is a disconnection between Bowes Museum and the town. Pedestrian linkages between the museum and the town can be improved using a range of wayfinding measures to overcome this. Other measures are being put in place to address this, such as partnership working between the Witham Hall and Bowes Museum.

4.8 Durham County Council is in the process of changing its delivery of services in the

Town. As part of the overall Witham project, the existing Library will be extended to provide a new library, Customer Access Point and back office accommodation. This new building will replace Teesdale House. The construction project will last approximately 9 months from June 2012. The investment made by DCC, ERDF & HLF in the project is circa £3M. As a result of this change in service delivery, Teesdale House and Woodleigh will become surplus to requirements. Over the next year, we will be working on options appraisal and determining the future use of Teesdale House and Woodleigh. In addition, there is the need to repair the Market Cross to maintain it as an important Grade I Listed Building in the centre of town.

4.9 The visual quality of the townscape requires improvement in a number of key areas

and the quality of the streetscape must respond positively to the rich heritage of Barnard Castle. The quality of the existing public realm and retail frontages of the town is of a good standard but does need to be more cohesive. It needs to respond more positively to enhance the high quality of the buildings, and to connect the styles of the furniture, paving, lighting and signing in a much more integrated way.

4.10 To create a truly vibrant and sustainable town centre will require the assembly of the

necessary “building blocks”, infrastructure and appropriate investment to attract shoppers, business and leisure visitors and their expenditure. In addition, the town centre is and will be home to numerous residents who live in and around the centre to take advantage of the services and facilities available to them. There is a range of development opportunities to be promoted in Barnard Castle and provide the necessary conditions for a sustainable and competitive town centre. These are as follows:

• The Council will work with regeneration partnerships and private sector partners to continue to deliver a vibrant market town;

• The Destination Plan prepared for Barnard Castle in April 2009 (and updated in August 2010) recognised that, in order to strengthen its offer to potential tourists and visitors, the town must improve its infrastructure (facilities and attractions) in order to make it work more effectively as a tourism destination. Parking, signposts, links, retail offer, food and drink and the range of activities are all key areas to be enhanced to increase visitor numbers, dwell time and spend. The Council will continue to work with partners to facilitate the growth of Barnard Castle as a tourist destination. There is a need to support the private sector and facilitate the delivery of hotel and B&B development in the town.

• There are a number of sites (in the town, on the eastern side of the town and over the River Tees at Startforth) that could provide residential development for sale, intermediate tenure and rent. Additional housing close to the centre will help the vitality and viability of the town and the Council will continue to work with the development industry, RSLs and other interested parties to deliver the new homes that Barnard Castle requires.

• Barnard Castle has been successful in attracting and retaining numerous small and medium-sized businesses both within the town centre and at the employment sites at Harmire Enterprise Park and Stainton Grove. Additional development land for business users can be brought forward with the

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introduction of infrastructure at Shaw Bank at Harmire. In the context of greatly reduced public sector funding, it will however be challenging to stimulate speculative development given that market rents may be insufficient to make development viable and SMEs require flexible terms of occupation. The Council will endeavour to work with existing businesses, potential funders, developers and prospective inward investment companies to ensure that Barnard Castle enhances its supply of business properties in order to provide for wealth and job creation.

Our Approach to Delivery 5.1 In terms of current major investments, the County Council has already spent

£784,634 on regeneration projects in 2011/12 to support town centre improvement, Heart of Teesdale Landscape programme, shop front works, broadband, NeST and the Witham Hall. Furthermore, the Council has committed substantial sums towards investments and interventions in the short term in the form of:

• £2 million towards Witham Hall redevelopment works;

• £140,402 towards digital technology;

• £ 143,145 towards town centre & shop front improvement;

• £ 137,255 towards the Heart of Teesdale landscape partnership.

5.2 These investments are supported by other funding sources, including:

• Heritage Lottery Funding ;

• ERDF;

• North Pennines Leader Plus;

• Local Transport Plan. 5.3 The Council is currently actively engaged with a range of private sector developers

and public sector partners in order to influence the pace and scale of development in Barnard Castle and to lever in maximum private sector investment, design quality and opportunity for residents. Examples of such developments and projects include:

• Working with local employers that are looking to expand their businesses;

• Working with the private sector to develop a phased approach to the delivery of new homes across a range of values and tenure types to support the resident population;

• Supporting private property owners to improve premises in the town centre through a shop front improvement scheme targeting business premises;

• Working to identify development partners and deliverable development solutions for Shaw Bank;

• Working with Visit County Durham, Bowes Museum, other tourism partners and the private sector to improve Barnard Castle’s tourism/visitor potential; and,

• Supporting and encouraging inward investment and local entrepreneurial activity via Business Durham, South Durham Enterprise Agency and private businesses.

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6. Project Delivery 6.1 The County Council is involved in either leading or helping to shape the delivery of a

number of priority projects across the town, in pursuance of the key drivers to regeneration outlined at Section 2.2.

6.2 In terms of leading regeneration opportunities in Barnard Castle, the Council is

actively pursuing the following:

• The Witham project - construction begins June 2012, completion by June 2013;

• Working in partnership with Digital City support to creative businesses in the town;

• Retail sector support through the Targeted Business Improvement project;

• Working in partnership with The Bowes Museum;

• Delivering landscape improvements to the Castle/Scar Top & Amen Corner;

• Exploring options for the future use of Teesdale House and Woodleigh;

• Undertaking a feasibility study in relation to a viewing platform and pedestrian suspension bridge with Teesdale Marketing Limited;

• Assessing infrastructure and environmental requirements; and.

• Delivering the County Durham & Les Compagnons Du Devoir Apprenticeship Programmes to Barnard Castle.

Witham Hall Restoration

6.3 The Witham Hall is a Grade II Listed Building, situated along Horsemarket, which

opened in 1846 as a dispensary for the sick. Over the years, it has served to support a variety of community functions. The Council, Barnard Castle Vision and The Witham Trustees are restoring and conserving The Witham Hall and introducing new workspace for businesses, theatre and cinema space, a gallery, box office and facilities for creative businesses. In addition, the existing library will be extended to provide a new library, Customer Access Point and DCC office accommodation. This facility will replace the existing Teesdale House. The works are funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, ERDF and Durham County Council.

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6.4 It is estimated that the project will create 61 jobs – 15 on site and 46 in businesses

who use the new facilities. It will also assist at least 32 businesses through co-working days and access to private and public-sector business support services.

Digital Dale 6.5 A survey by Barnard Castle Vision and the Enterprise Agency for Wear Valley and

Teesdale in 2008 found that there was great need for better broadband connectivity in Teesdale. As well as identifying many areas of poor or no connectivity, it collated many responses from businesses and residents who wanted or needed better broadband in order to stay in the area. The Digital Dale project is being led by Barnard Castle Vision in co-ordination with a number of local partners including Durham County Council, South West Durham Enterprise Agency, Teesdale Action Partnership, Teesdale Village Halls Consortium, North Star Housing, local businesses and residents. Funding has been secured for the building, maintenance and operation of the network and the Digital Dale infrastructure was completed in September 2011.

6.6 The project will connect a number of micro-enterprises and a wide variety of

residential, community and business users. Beneficiaries include isolated farms and those communities which formerly had poor or no connectivity.

Shop Front Improvements 6.7 The Shop Improvement Grant Scheme was launched in April 2009, and has invested

over £273,000 supporting 51 businesses to date, creating 21 full time equivalent jobs and 11 new high street businesses. This money has levered in approximately £297,000 of private sector investment. Over the period, retail vacancy rates in Barnard Castle have improved substantially (from 19 to 4%) and bucked the national trend. There are two different types of grants within the scheme;

• Conservation and Restoration to existing or empty premises - to replace, conserve or restore building frontages to business premises in the town centre. Where the property is empty, grant funds can cover interior restoration. The grants are for a percentage of the total costs, to a maximum grant of £10,000.

• Repair Grant - this grant provides funds to repair frontages and includes wood work repairs, glass replacement, signage and paintwork. Grants are to a maximum of £1,000 on the basis of a percentage grant rate.

6.8 (Case Study) Richard Varcoe returned to his hometown of Barnard Castle in 2010 with ideas for a

new business venture. As a keen cyclist and with an awareness of the popularity of the area with cyclists he recognised the potential to open a specialist shop selling cycles and accessories. He was also determined to provide an all round service offering maintenance and repairs, and possibly in servicing a market for bike hire.

He identified a vacant property on The Bank; a shop that had been empty for a couple of years. He applied to the scheme for a grant to renovate and make the interior suitable for his business. The works took around three months and proved that a period property presents challenges when trying to create retail, work and office space.

Richard commented on his first year in business “The first year in business surpassed all my expectations, but the historic nature of the premises began to show its

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limitations. I realised that my ambitions could be realised by improving on the area I had for repairing cycles and with a different location having better parking around the shop making it easier for people who were dropping off or collecting bikes”

In the autumn of 2011, Richard identified a former petrol stage property that would be ideal for the business and, with a further small grant, moved up the road. The new premises has enabled him to expand his business further with a rise in the maintenance and repair side of the business, new product lines and additional part-time jobs for two people.

6.9 In 2012, we plan to offer a new grant to support existing businesses with a review and makeover. This will offer more established businesses the opportunity to review their current business, identify opportunities and implement changes that may include redeveloping the interior and exterior of their property. This is subject to funding availability.

Land at NeST 6.10 The former car showroom premises in Newgate have been leased and the building

refurbished the building to provide accommodation for local artists, digital and creative businesses, and space for an art gallery and café. The Newgate Studio (NeST) which opened in August 2010 is linked to Middlesbrough’s Digital City as its first rural satellite facility. NeST continues to a success and has increased footfall along Newgate Street. The building is leased until 2015 from the owner of the car repair garage to the rear of the former showroom.

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6.11 There may be potential to develop the site located to the rear of the studios in the

medium term and we will need to work with the landowners to understand their ambitions and consider the potential development options.

Redevelopment of Teesdale House 6.12 The site is located on Galgate in the centre of the town. Teesdale House is a Grade

II Listed Building in Council ownership. Historically, the buildings were in residential use prior to it being used as the administrative base for the former District Council.

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6.13 As a result of the Witham project, the Council will relocate its services from Teesdale House in 2013. Teesdale House will become surplus to requirements. There is a need to prepare an options appraisal and feasibility study to consider the future use of the building. The options appraisal and feasibility study will start in July 2012.

Woodleigh 6.14 Woodleigh is a detached Victorian Council owned property located at the junction

between Vere Road, Galgate and Horsemarket. The building helps frame the entrance to the ruins of the Castle. The building was previously used as the Tourist Information Centre and is currently occupied by the Witham Trustees whilst the Witham Hall is restored. The landscaped area next to Woodleigh will be improved through the Heart of Teesdale’s Scar Top project.

6.15 Woodleigh will become available for other uses once the Witham Trustees move

back to their property in 2013. The building has the potential for a number of regeneration opportunities and these opportunities need to be considered through the preparation of an options appraisal and feasibility study. The options appraisal and feasibility study will start in July 2012.

Auction Mart 6.16 Barnard Castle Auction Mart is situated to the north west of the town centre, behind

Galgate, with access gained from either Marshall Street or Vere Road. The site extends to 1.4Ha in size, comprising of a Cattle Mart, Saleroom, car parking and agricultural fields. The site is bounded to the south by Vere Road, to the west and north by residential units and gardens and to the east by Barnard Castle Cricket Club. The mart is owned and operated, privately, by Barnard Castle and Teesdale Farmers’ Auction Mart Co. Limited which has been running a livestock market since 1890.

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Livestock sales are held every Wednesday and every other Tuesday and attract custom from a wide catchment area. Sales of tools and light machinery are held in May and August.

6.17 The Mart owners are keen to explore opportunities for their business to operate within

DEFRA guidelines. The Council will work with the Mart owners to understand their business needs and seek to help them deliver an appropriate solution for the continuation of the Mart.

GlaxoSmithKline 6.18 As outlined in Section 1.4, GlaxoSmithKline is the most significant employer in

Barnard Castle and continues to invest in its plant, machinery, product lines and workforce. The plant will be GSK’s global centre for making dermatological products. Around £80 million has been spent at the site in the last five years and a further £15 million investment is planned for 2012. Notwithstanding GSK’s recent decision to locate its new biopharmaceutical plant at Ulverston, the County Council and Business Durham continue to liaise with GSK to explore possibilities for further growth at Barnard Castle. Likewise, the partners are keen to encourage spin-out SME development from GSK in order to diversify the local business base.

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Shaw Bank 6.19 Shaw Bank is one of the largest potential development sites for Barnard Castle and

lies on the outskirts of the town, off the A688 from Bishop Auckland. The site is located adjacent to the settlement boundary of Barnard Castle and is being considered for a strategic employment allocation in the new Local Plan. The site backs on to GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) pharmaceutical plant, and adjoins Teesdale School and Teesdale Leisure Centre.

6.20 A Concept Masterplan was prepared a few years ago for Shaw Bank that considers

the location and layout of the various facilities within the area, the timescale for development, infrastructure and access requirements including car parking and utilities. This work will be reviewed and revised as necessary

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Riverside Circular Walk including Pedestrian Suspension Bridge 6.21 Walking and cycling tourism is an increasingly important part of the local economy

and there are numerous footpaths & bridleways in the area. There are however limited opportunities for circular walks which cross the River Tees. The river / views of the Castle are a key asset for the Town but are not being capitalised upon.

6.22 A site has been identified by Teesdale Marketing Limited to potentially provide a new

pedestrian suspension bridge and viewing platform that would extend the experience of walkers and cyclists to the area and provide a circular riverside walk for the Town. The Council is undertaking a feasibility study to ascertain whether it would be possible to establish such a suspension bridge. Subject to the findings of the feasibility study, a planning application for the bridge and viewing platform could be submitted by the end of 2012.

Bowes Museum 6.23 Bowes Museum is a building built in the style of a French Chateaux within

landscaped gardens in 1892 and was described by Nikolaus Pevsner as "... big bold and incongruous, looking exactly like the town hall of a major provincial town in France. In scale it is just as gloriously inappropriate for the town to which it belongs (and to which it gives some international fame) as in style"3

3 Pevsner, Nikolaus; revised by Elizabeth Williamson (1983) [1953]. County Durham (2nd ed.).

London: Penguin Books.

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6.24 The Museum attracts 115,000 visitors per annum and there are plans to increase the

visitors to 130,000 over the next 2-3 years. The Museum has recently completed a programme of major capital investment and is developing its business plan, events programme and considering future development opportunities. We will endeavour to work with the Museum to deliver their aspirations.

Delivery of New Homes 6.25 The new Local Plan is being prepared. The latest consultation document “Policy

Directions Paper” identifies that Barnard Castle requires a minimum of 400 dwellings over the lifetime of the Plan (2030). It is likely that these dwellings will be constructed on sites identified within the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.

6.26 It is important that the new housing that is provided caters for the needs of the local

population, from starter homes, family housing and older persons’ accommodation. This provision will help support a balanced local community which would benefit education, health and leisure provision.

TIBI Apprenticeship scheme 6.27 TIBI has been conceived as a new ‘fellowship’ whose ultimate purpose is to raise the

status, reputation and self-esteem of the skilled trades in Britain and Ireland to the equivalent of the professions.

6.28 Under the scheme, students follow a basic two-year apprenticeship, rather than the

year-long versions most commonly used in the UK, with a further five years of supervised training which includes some foreign travel. It is understood that three skills areas are to be targeted first: Mechanical Engineering, Stonemasonry and Carpentry4 5.

6.29 It is expected that new apprentices will be taken on from September 2012. To help

deliver this programme, it is thought that there will be a need to identify a suitable

4 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6e4151e2-69e3-11e1-8996-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1uqMgRVGw

5 http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2012/02/15/french-apprentice-system-to-be-

rolled-out-in-the-north-east-51140-30334470/

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building in Barnard Castle to act as the programme’s UK base. We will endeavour to work with the programme’s sponsors to identify a suitable building and help deliver its programme.

Delivery Plan Council Priorities

Theme (& strategy) Project Activity Timescale Outputs Project Lead & Partners

Budget Details

Town Centre Regeneration Statement

Witham Hall Restoration To be completed by June 2013 1535 sq m gross business premises, 61 jobs and will assist 32 businesses. create 604 sq m nett lettable floor space Refurbished theatre/cinema (Event Hall) 83 sq m Gallery Box office Customer Access Point Library extension

Barnard Castle Vision (BCV)/DCC/HLF/Trustees of Witham Hall

Total budget DCC £2m HLF £240,491 ERDF£773,879 BCV £368,614


Digital Dale Network completed September 2011

1000 service connections by April 2013 50 business connections

BCV/DCC/Networks by Wireless/South West Durham Enterprise Agency/Teesdale Action Partnership/ Teesdale Village Halls Consortium/ North Star Housing.

Total budget RDPE £300,000 Private sector £300,000 DCC/TAP £160,000


Shop Front Improvement Grants Ongoing 21 full time equivalent jobs 11 new high street businesses

BCV Total budget ONE/DCC £273,000 Private sector £297,000


Land at NeST Ongoing Feasibility Study Total budget Community Builders £20,000


Expansion of Woodleigh Ongoing Options Study Private Sector/DCC


Auction Mart Ongoing Private Sector/DCC


Redevelopment of Teesdale House Ongoing Options Study Private Sector/DCC


Promoting Retail Distinctiveness

• Preserving the environment

• Support for independent shops and essential facilities

• Farmers/Specialist markets

• Promotion of local produce

Ongoing Support for independent shops 50 businesses supported 21 full time equivalent jobs 11 new high street businesses £283,000 leverage from the private sector Love Food – local food project 200 businesses supported

Private Sector/DCC/Barnard Castle Vision/Barney Guild/Teesdale Marketing

Total budget DCC £338,000 Private sector £283,000 HLF £300,000

Housing & Economy

Economic Strategy Delivery of New Homes Medium to Long term Improved provision of elderly accommodation and

increased levels of affordable housing. Increased numbers of family and executive housing improving the desirability of the locality.

Private Sector/RSLs/DCC

Housing & Economy

Economic Strategy Potential Redevelopment of Grove Works, Queen Street

Medium term Relocation of the business to an alternative location within the town would create an opportunity for 30 new homes (SHLAA) and additional car parking for the town

Private sector

Housing & Economy

Economic Strategy

Shaw Bank Masterplan & Access Road Short to Medium term Shaw Bank is one of the largest potential development sites for Barnard Castle and lies on the outskirts of the town, off the A688 from Bishop Auckland. The site is within the settlement boundary of Barnard Castle and as such it has attracted attention from developers on a regular basis. There was therefore a need to develop a master plan for the Shaw Bank area to mitigate inappropriate piecemeal development of the site.

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Supporting projects


Budget Details

Transport & Infrastructure

Local Transport Plan Regeneration Statement

Financial support to ensure the continued provision of bus services across Teesdale

Short term Preservation of services DCC/Arriva

Tourism

Way finding and interpretation • Signage on approaches to Barnard Castle

especially brown and white signs

• Way finding strategy and its implementation including signage within the town for cars and pedestrians including to and from Bowes Museum

• Implement improved walking routes to and from Bowes Museum

• New town map and leaflet

• New access and signage into Hole in Wall LS car park Newgate

• Better lighting and signing in ginnels to make them clearer and more welcoming

• Monitoring and analysis on Town basis required to measure impact

Short to Medium term • Increased visitor numbers

• Increased income for Bowes Museum

• Increased income for DCC with use of CPE

• Increased economic benefit to the town through visitor knowledge of the town via map/leaflet

• Improved parking accessibility to town for visitors

• Improved feeling of safety for residents and visitors

BCV/DCC/Visit County Durham (VCD)/Bowes Museum

Tourism

Town centre management • Town centre manager to work with tourism

business and Retailers Guild

• Spread use of technology e.g. WiFi, availability, online sales by retailers and accommodation

• Encourage more early evening and/or Sunday opening

• Develop strengthened business network for tourism businesses and support Retailers Guild

• Encourage better business signage

• Extend market along Newgate to Bowes Museum


Short to Medium term • Improved relationships between town centre businesses and more willingness to work together

• Improved connectivity allowing business to increase eturnover.

• Increased opening increasing visitor and resident catchment and economic benefit

• Improved visual aspect of town to encourage return visits

• Improved market improving local economy and increasing local shoppers and visitor numbers for market and Bowes Museum

BCV/DCC/Barnard Castle Retailers’ Guild (BCRG)/Private Sector

Tourism

Product development • Develop small/boutique hotel in town centre

• Develop and promote antiques/craft/art quarter – the Bank and Newgate – working with Retail Guild

• Invest in facilities, flood lighting, interpretation and promotion at the Castle (make more of French connections)

• Create imaginative new children’s play opportunity at Castle or Scar Top

Short to Medium term • Increased visitor overnight stays and related spend

• Increased interest in town for visitors and residents producing increased economic benefit in town

• Improved feeling of safety leading to reduced fear of crime and subsequently improving the night time economy

• Provision of safe children’s play providing a better family experience and encouraging repeat visits from visitors and residents

BCV/DCC/BCRG/English Heritage/Barnard Castle Town Council

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Budget Details

Tourism

Heritage interpretation • Walking tours of the town

• Maximise potential of the Glass Box for interpretation of the town’s history

• Refresh and relaunch town trail leaflet

• Develop activities for children e.g. discovery packs for nature reserves, geocaches, treasure trail, heritage themed adventure play

Short to Medium term • Increased visitor interest and possibly increased length of stay and related spend producing increased economic benefit in town

• Provision of safe children’s play providing a better family experience and encouraging repeat visits from visitors and residents

BCV/VCD/Tourist Information Centre (TIC)

Tourism

Food, drink and hospitality • Develop the food offer at the local markets

including French/continental produce

• Encourage local sourcing of food and drink and local dishes on menus

• Check and review planning issues over outdoor tables outside cafes and pubs

• Encourage differentiation in pub food offer – one or two serving high quality pub food, especially in the evenings

• Visitor welcome training for businesses and volunteers to boost visitor satisfaction and encourage repeats and recommendations

• Support for tourism businesses on marketing, skills, advice, management

• TIC staff to offer a welcome service for coach groups


Short to Medium term • Improved day and evening economy though more repeat visits to sample high quality food in picturesque environment

• Local sourcing improving economic benefit to local people/businesses

• Improved customer service training encourages repeat visits from residents and visitors

Teesdale Marketing/VCD/TIC BCRG/Business Link/Private Sector

Tourism

Environmental improvements • Integrate Butter Market into cobbles to give

visitor access and bring back into use as market space

• Scar Top/Woodleigh Gardens area environmental improvements – landscaping, viewpoint, play, interpretation, art

• Create piazza open area outside Witham Hall

• Improved town centre street furniture

• Flatts Woods landscaping

• Flaxfield viewpoint – extend parking and enhance riverside area


Short to Medium term Increased tourist interest in town through improved attractions and visitor experience encourages longer stay and more spend

BCV/DCC

Tourism

Walking and cycling • Footpath maintenance and enhancement

Short to Medium term • Increased tourist interest in town through improved attractions and visitor experience encourages longer stay and more spend

BCV/DCC/VCD/BCRG/Raby Estates

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Budget Details

on main paths close to town and along river

• Review and relaunch walks leaflets

• Research circular cycle routes from town to be featured in leaflet/website (BCV) and promotion thereof

• Bicycle (and other outdoor equipment) hire – business opportunity

• Health benefits to local residents and visitors Business opportunity possibly increased job opportunity too.

Tourism

Events • Explore opportunities for French themed

events such as cinema, French food/drink markets, evening events, French menus, etc

• More events at Castle e.g. re-enactments, events for children, hot air balloon launching

• Boost the evening economy by exploring options to stage evening events, films, talks, live music in pubs, widen choice of evening eating options, lighting improvements, evening guided walks, etc

• Explore options for holding/spreading events to other parts of the town including the Demesnes and using the Castle for events

• Monitoring and analysis required to measure impact

Short to Medium term • Increased tourist and resident interest in town through improved attractions and visitor experience encourages multiple visits and associated spend

VCD/BCV/DCC/English Heritage/BCRG/Private Sector

Tourism

Marketing, promotion and visitor information • Develop Barnard Castle visitor, including

updated information on thisisdurham.com

• Give the town a motif – to promote image

• Link into county marketing strategy and capitalise on strengthened Durham Dales brand

• Attract more visitors from Durham city (build on heritage and art links)

• Target day visitor market in Durham and Yorkshire (e.g. special offers, events, repeat visitors)

• Retain and support excellent TIC and seek optimal location (subject to review)

Short to Medium term • Increased tourist interest and recognition of town through improved attractions, use of logo and visitor experience, encourages longer stay and more spend

VCD/TIC/BCV/DCC

Tourism

Barney Rope Bridge Planning submission expected September 2012

Creation of new pedestrian suspension bridge & viewing platform to help provide new circular walk in Town and increase tourism potential in area

Teesdale Marketing/BCV/DCC


Local Transport Plan Regeneration Statement

Education & Social Regeneration, Education, Job Creation, Children & Young People.

County Durham Apprenticeship Programme Ongoing. Assisting the creation of apprenticeship opportunities for unemployed individuals who live in County Durham and are between 16 – 24 years of age. The Programme will predominantly focus on creating additional opportunities within the private sector, especially SMEs with less that 50 staff.

DCC & Private Sector Budget established but not specific to Barnard Castle.

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Budget Details

Housing & Economy

Economic Strategy SHLAA

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Ongoing Local planning authorities are required under national planning policy to carry out a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) annually. This is to ensure a flexible and responsive supply of housing land is maintained to accommodate new development over the next 15 years.

The SHLAA does not determine whether housing will be built on any particular site. Any decision on a site is a matter for the local planning authority to make by allocating the land in its Local Development Framework and/or by granting planning permission.

The key functions of the SHLAA are to:

• identify sites with potential for new housing development

• assess how much housing potential the site has

• assess when the site is likely to be developed.

This study will form part of the evidence base, along with other information, to inform decisions in plan-making, including future allocations within Local Development Framework documents.

DCC Budget established but not specific to Barnard Castle.

Other projects

Theme (& strategy) Project Activity Timescale Outputs Project Lead & Partners Budget Details Education & Social Regeneration, Education, Job Creation, Children & Young People, Social (AAP Area Budget)

Area Budget Projects

Short term The Area Budget (AB) is an annual allocation of £120,000 which is made to each AAP to support community led initiatives that meet local needs and impact on Durham County Council's priorities. For the first two years of the AAP (2009/10 and 2010/11) the AB allocation was £150,000 per year. The AB has been provided to encourage community participation in decision-making and tackling the priorities identified at the Forum meetings. Although potential projects are developed by the Task Groups for each priority, approval to support the project is given by the AAP Board.

In 2011/12, a budget of £146,353 has been allocated to support twelve projects:

Children and Young People - four projects - £40,316 allocated budget Tourism- six projects - £61,171 allocated budget Job Prospects - two projects - £39,866 allocated budget

DCC/AAP £146,353 allocated.

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Theme (& strategy) Project Activity Timescale Outputs Project Lead & Partners Budget Details Education & Social Regeneration, Education, Job Creation, Children & Young People, Social (AAP Neighbourhoods Budget)

Neighbourhood Budgets Short Term The Neighbourhood Budget (NB) is an annual allocation of £25,000 which is made to Durham County Council councillors to support the improvement of social, economic and environmental well-being activities in their area. The NB aims to support the funding of proposals which are identified as priorities within the AAP Action Plan and other neighbourhood priorities for the local area.

There are six county council elected members within the Teesdale AAP area, equating to a potential spending power of £150,000. The majority of the current year’s budget is being spent in Barnard Castle.

DCC/AAP £150,000 committed


Local Transport Plan (AAP Highways Budget)

Transport Fund Short term. The Highways Budget is an annual allocation of £6,000, which is made to each Durham County Council Elected Member and is designed to impact on priorities identified within the Local Transport Plan. Schemes must be capital spend and developed in conjunction with the Durham County Council Highways section. It supports a range of highways improvements including, for example, Highway works, traffic calming, parking, footpaths, bus shelters and disabled access ramps.


Education & Social Regeneration, Education, Job Creation, Children & Young People, Social (AAP Members’ Initiative Fund)

Members’ Initiative Fund Short Term The Members Initiative Fund (MIF) is an annual allocation of £2,000 to each Durham County Council Elected Member. The aim of MIF is to tackle neighbourhood priorities in a dynamic and proactive way. It is there to support community and voluntary groups to develop their effectiveness and support them to respond to community and neighbourhood needs.


Environment Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership

Conserving or Restoring the Built and Natural Features that Create Historic Landscape Character • Flatts Wood & Tees Banks Restoration

• Barnard Castle Gardens and Open Spaces

• Teesdale Views

• Castle and Scar Top Setting

• Paths for All People

• Historic Landscapes

• Birds and Farm Landscapes

Short to Medium term (1-5 years)

HoT Partnership/Groundwork/DCC/Barnard Castle Town Council/Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group

£1,392,220 committed


Increasing Community Participation in Local Heritage • Lost Landscapes

• Community Initiatives Fund

• Riverbanks Restoration

• InvesTeesgate

• Arts in the Landscape


HoT Partnership/Tees Rivers Trust

£514,980 committed


Increasing Access to and Learning about the Landscape and its Heritage • Watch Out For Wildlife

• Trails Through Teesdale

• Landscapes Legacy

• Heart of Teesdale Creative Media

• Crafts and Skills in the Community


HoT Partnership/Bowes Museum/Durham Wildlife Trust/Tees Rivers Trust

£407,300

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Theme (& strategy) Project Activity Timescale Outputs Project Lead & Partners Budget Details • Focus on Farming

• Community Archaeology Programme

• Increasing Access Scheme

• RiverLab


Increasing Training Opportunities in Local Heritage Skills

• Field Boundary Programme

• Landscape Discovery

• A Future for Heritage Crafts

• Teesdale Stonecraft Academy

• Environmental Volunteering


HoT Partnership/Groundwork/Vernacular Architectural Renewal

£226,500

Environment Market Cross Survey and Repairs Short term Repair of Grade 1 Listed structure DCC/English Heritage

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