County Durham villages could get Pride in Place funding

The issue was raised by North Durham MP, Luke Akehurst, at today’s (Wednesday, February 25) Prime Minister’s Questions, which saw the MP note that areas like New Kyo, Grange Villa and The Avenues area of Chester-le-Street are all in need of “urgent investment”.

This question from Mr Akehurst comes after £20m was given to Stanley, Peterlee, Crook and Tow Law last year as part of the Government’s new Pride in Place programme.

Stanley South is due to receive the £20 million in funding over a ten-year period starting in 2027.

North Durham MP, Luke Akehurst (Image: PARLIAMENT)

The areas will receive £2 million every year to give them certainty when planning for the future, when it comes to high streets, parks and public spaces. 

Local people will decide how funding is spent, and communities will gain new powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses, and buy local assets before they close.

A County Durham sign (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

This funding was secured due to the South Stanley area being identified as one of the 250 most deprived neighbourhoods in the country.

In his question to the Prime Minister, Mr Akehurst said: “Residents in Stanley, in my constituency are very excited at having their say on how to spend the £20m of Pride in Place funding that Stanley South has received as one of the 250 most deprived neighbourhoods in the country.

Stanley was one area to benefit in the last wave of government Pride of Place funding (Image: STUART BOULTON)

“There are other villages and areas in North Durham that are too small to qualify for Pride in Place at the moment, but are in urgent need of investment.

“For instance, Grange Villa, New Kyo, and the Avenue area of Chester-le-Street.

“Will the Prime Minister consider an additional wave of Pride in Place funding to target smaller, more concentrated areas of deprivation?”

In response, the Prime Minister committed to a further wave of funding.

“I know how meaningful Prime of Place investment is to his (Mr Akehurst’s) constituency,” said the Prime Minister.

“We’re backing communities with the funding and the powers they need to invest in their priorities, which is unleashing job growth and opportunity.

“In answer to his question, I can confirm the next wave of Pride of Place will invest in an additional 169 neighbourhood goods focused on smaller areas looking cloesly on deprivation.

“We’re reversing the austerity that ripped the heart out of high streets in our communities, and giving local people a real say in how money is spent.”