New look for Seaham's high street as £2.25million regeneration scheme pledges to help town recover from lockdown

Durham County Council launched the Seaham Townscape Heritage Project after securing a £1.6million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the work.

It is hoped it will help draw more people into the shopping street, with the council stating the work will also help it recover from the coronavirus crisis.

During the next eight weeks, new paving will be laid at the entrance to Church Street, additional seating will be installed and a large brick planter will be removed.

Further work is planned in North Terrace, Terrace Green and South Terrace later this year, including the restoration of exposed Rainton Railway Line tracks to create a focal point.

Business improvement grants have been offered to property owners and occupiers to help with restoration, such as repairing and reinstating traditional features, and opening inaccessible upper floor spaces.

Discussions with applicants are underway and planning permission is in place for the first two properties.

A series of training courses will educate residents and businesses about the town’s heritage and how it can be protected.

Councillor Kevin Shaw, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for strategic housing and assets and Dawdon ward member said: “The pandemic has hit high streets across the country hard and the work we are undertaking will help Seaham town centre to recover, creating a vibrant and accessible environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

“Church Street in particular is home to a number of small, family-owned businesses and we hope this project will provide a welcome boost as we continue the longer-term regeneration work which has transformed our town.”

As well as the National Lottery funding, the council has committed £370,00, and a further £217,000 investment is expected from property owners.

In summer 2018, The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded a £63,342 development grant so the council could work with stakeholders to prepare proposals for the final submission.

It paid for a full review of the Seaham Conservation Area and to formally adopt a New Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan for the town.

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