Residents in an East Durham village are being invited to have their say on proposals which could shape the future of their community.
Durham County Council is holding a series of public consultation events ahead of preparing a masterplan for the future of Horden.
The authority has been pro-actively working to identify solutions to housing-related issues in the area for a number of years, implementing a number of successful initiatives.
These have included an accreditation scheme for private landlords, providing grants and loans to help to fund the renovation of private properties and, most recently, a multi-agency clean-up operation focusing on environmental issues.
Cllr Kevin Shaw, Cabinet member for housing and assets at Durham County Council, said: “We have already received a lot of positive feedback in response to the work we have been doing in Horden but now we are keen to hear what residents would like to happen next.
“Their views will be important in shaping the masterplan which could provide a range of options for delivering improvements should external funding be available following many years of lack of investment by central government.”
A public exhibition will take place on Tuesday, 5 June, at Horden Social Welfare Centre, Seventh Street, from 1pm to 7pm.
It will be followed by a series of drop-in sessions on the following days:
- Tuesday, 12 June, 9.30am to 12.30pm – One Point Family Centre, Ocean View
- Wednesday, 13 June, 10am to 12noon – The Ark, Sunderland Road
- Wednesday, 20 June, 5pm to 7pm – Horden Salvation Army, Dene Street
- Thursday, 21 June, 9am to 12noon – Horden Hub House, 54 Seventh Street
- Tuesday, 26 June, 9.30am to 12.30pm – Horden Youth and Community Centre
- Sunday, 1 July, 12noon to 2pm – Teddy bears’ picnic, Welfare Park
The masterplan will cover the whole of Horden but will primarily focus on the area known as the numbered streets.
It will provide a range of potential options for delivering improvements in housing and the environment. However, this work will only be carried out if external funding can be obtained. The masterplan will, therefore, be used to make bids for funding from central government.
Anyone who is unable to attend a consultation event can provide their feedback by visiting www.durham.gov.uk/consultation between Monday, 4 June and Thursday, 5 July.
They can also email the project team at hordenmasterplan@durham.gov.uk.