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Durham Police antisocial behaviour victims can demand policing review in 'UK first' scheme

Victims of anti-social behaviour will be able to demand an independent review if they are not satisfied with how officers have responded under a new scheme.People living within the area covered by Durham Police will be able to request a review if they have reported three or more instances of anti-social behaviour but the offences continue.It is considered the first scheme of its kind in the country.John McGee knows more than most about the issue, having said it made him feel nervous to be in his...

North East to get 1.5% of HS2 savings

County Durham is to receive £72.8mn to improve local transport, paid for from the £36bn that the government expects to have saved by scrapping high-speed rail between Birmingham and Manchester (HS2).Durham’s grant is the only money coming the North East’s way from the total of £4.7bn that ministers said today would be allocated to the North and Midlands from HS2 savings.It means the North East’s share amounts to approximately 1.5% of the total, the rest of which will go to eight council...

UK public services will buckle under planned spending cuts, economists warn

Britain’s stretched public services will buckle under the weight of the spending cuts being planned for after the election, economists have warned, as Jeremy Hunt prepares for another round of tax reductions in next week’s budget.Experts say the level of public sector spending pencilled in for the next parliament would mean cuts equivalent to those undertaken by David Cameron’s government from 2010 to 2015. Some have warned the next government will not be able to implement them, ...

Concern as more councils in England and Wales plan to turn off street lights

The county of Norfolk contains some of the best stargazing spots in the UK and was one of the few places where it was possible to see the spectacle of the aurora borealis this winter, thanks to its dark skies unsullied by light pollution.But the council’s attempts to plunge Norfolk roads into further darkness are being contested by groups worried about personal safety, particularly for women out alone.The majority of councils across England and Wales have introduced measures to dim or cut stre...

The North and Midlands will receive £4.7 billion to spend on transport infrastructure, after the government cancelled the HS2 rail line north of Birmingham

Rishi Sunak has set out how transport funding redirected from the government’s abandoned HS2 plans will be shared across regional councils as he holds a Cabinet meeting in Yorkshire and the Humber.The North of England will be allocated £2.5 billion and the Midlands will receive £2.2 billion made available after the northern leg of the flagship levelling-up project was axed.Transport Secretary Mark Harper defended the government's decision on HS2: "Rather than spendin...

Solar farm approval was unlawful, judge says

Article from BBC NewsCampaigners are celebrating after a High Court judge said a council's approval of plans for a solar farm was unlawful.Approved by Durham County Council, Lightsource bp's contentious plans to transform a 92-hectare site near Burnhope into a huge solar farm are fiercely opposed by residents.Villagers challenged the proposals with a judicial review, which has now concluded with a judge's order to quash planning permission.The council said it was "disappointed" but accepted the ...

Victory as High Court dismisses Consett Incinerator appeal

Article by Bill EdgarProject Genesis hoped to overrule thousands of objections from residents and planning refusals from Durham County Council and the government to build the energy facility at the Hownsgill Industrial Park, near Delves Lane. The local developer said the outcome was “extremely disappointing” and hit out at political interference and the ‘Not In My Back Yard’ culture around the proposal. It also accused protest groups of scaremongering and spreading misinformation.&n...

Consett incinerator plans rejected by High Court

Article by Bill Edgar & Sam ThomsonDevelopers Project Genesis wanted to build the energy plant but faced opposition from the council and campaigners.Rejecting the appeal, Mr Justice Fordam said he was not persuaded by any of the arguments the developers had entered.Project Genesis said the decision was "extremely disappointing" and accused protest groups of "scaremongering".The High Court refusal centred around the significant harm to the character and appearance of the landscape, and how it...

Rishi Sunak criticises local authorities for requesting steep council tax rises

Councils in England are facing a widespread funding crisis after seeing their grant funding from central government fall by 40% from 2010 to 2020. Eight English councils, including Birmingham, Nottingham and Croydon, have issued so-called section 114 notices in recent years, in effect declaring themselves bankrupt.Read on HERE...

Footage released showing near misses between cars and horses.

Footage has been released showing cars being driven dangerously fast and close to horse riders.  View BBC footage HEREWe had a couple of weeks last autumn where Consett area roads were being ‘stalked’ by multi horse traffic incidents.More than 270 incidents of horses being injured on South East roads were recorded last year, according to the British Horse Society.The charity is urging drivers to pass horses at no more than 10mph and to leave at least two metres ...

Prisoner Rehab House Near School Rejected Again

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) lost its appeal against a decision to block the conversion of the 16-bedroom Highfield House in Consett, County Durham, as part of its “prisoner reform” programme.The scheme was initially refused as the building is located less than 60 metres from the specialist Delta Independent School and a scout hut.A government spokesperson said the MoJ is now considering its next steps.The department submitted plans in 2022 to turn the derelict building into housing for off...

Consett Charity Building Self Belief Launch Digital Scheme

In an increasingly digital world, it is getting harder to navigate technology and keep up to date with changes. Consett-based charity, Building-Self Belief are hoping to bridge the gap by launching digital skills sessions to help benefit the community in building confidence online.The sessions will include workshops on how to use and access emails through mobile phones, help with setting up and using social media accounts like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), as well as using onl...

High Court delays Consett incinerator decision

A High Court decision on plans to build a controversial incinerator in County Durham has been delayed, after the judge said he needed more time.Developers Project Genesis are appealing the government’s decision to reject its proposal for the facility in Consett.They have argued that the energy centre would prevent rubbish from being buried in landfill and generate cheap, environmentally friendly power.But campaigners said the incinerator would be a danger to local health.Planning permission fo...

Consett’s Shotley Bridge Hospital Project Faces Delays

Consett’s plans for a new community hospital to replace Shotley Bridge Hospital are experiencing delays. Initially projected to open in 2025, a revised timeline for the project is now under consideration. This proposed establishment was part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s broader objective of inaugurating 40 new hospitals across the UK by 2030.Durham County Councillor Kevin Earley voiced concerns about the delay, highlighting the anticipation and concerns of the local community....

Local Youth Allotment Group Celebrates Blackhill Bowling Club’s Centenary with a Green Gift

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the local young persons’ allotment group recently presented a beautifully crafted planter to the Blackhill Bowling Club in celebration of their centenary. The thoughtful gesture not only marks a significant milestone for the bowling club but also highlights the collaborative efforts of the community’s younger generation.Crafted at Derwentside College with the invaluable support of the joinery department, the planter showcases...

Free Walks Around Consett

The purpose of the Consett Hiking Group is to facilitate guided walks for the benefit of the community. Their aim is to stimulate physical activity, improve stamina and good health, by encouraging people to walk, in a non-competitive, social environment, towards improving their wellness and mental health, through green exercise; whilst exploring and discovering the local countryside, history, wildlife and heritage.Walks are free, convivial, and can be tailored to meet the needs of specific commu...

Decision over future of County Durham incinerator delayed after High Court hearing

A High Court decision on plans to build an incinerator in County Durham has been delayed, after a judge admitted he needed more time to consider his rulingProject Genesis appeared in court to appeal the government’s decision to reject its proposal for the facility in Consett.The local regeneration organisation hopes to overrule thousands of objections from residents and a planning refusal from Durham County Council (DCC) to build the energy centre at the Hownsgill Industrial Park.Read on ...

Bike donated from Consett Charity part of community project

A County Durham charity has supplied its first road bike to a struggling man through one of its community projects.Building Self Belief supplied the road bike to Guy Launchbury through their Tow Law community projects.Having moved to County Durham from London to have an improved quality of life for his children, Guy Launchbury has struggled to find work since moving to Tow Law two years ago, due to a lack of transport links.Guy has attended the family support and employa...

Consett neighbourhood forum to establish in New Year

Named the Consett Area Neighbourhood Forum, this venture aims to ensure the voices of local people are heard.The formal establishment of the forum will be celebrated at an event on Sunday, January 14 where there will be a formal voting of committee members. An information evening for the forum was hosted on Tuesday, December 19 in Consett, County Durham at The Steel Club to outline the priorities and objectives of the forum as well as to introduce its constitution and to allow tho...

Plans to enhance Consett to create a thriving town centre have moved into their final stage.

Durham County Council is due to start phase two and three of transformation works in Middle Street in Consett as part of its Town Centre Capital programme.The works, which are scheduled to begin on Monday, July 17, will see the new paving from phase one continued, as well as new bollards and bins installed.The council will also be installing new seating and planters to create enjoyable areas for people to relax, as well as seating around new bespoke lighting columns which will project seasonal p...