"Positive feedback" from residents following estate facelift

Cllr John Shuttleworth (centre) is pictured in Henknowle with (left to right) Durham County Council's senior area action partnership co-ordinator, Andrew Walker, strategic highways manager, Paul Anderson, community development project officer, Peter Henderson, and believe housing's major works manager, Sean Cairns.

We have worked with believe housing to deliver the improvements at Henknowle in Bishop Auckland.

New handrails and repairs to steps among improvements 

Steps have been repaired or upgraded, new handrails have been installed, and new landscaped areas created, while a number of walls have been removed or rebuilt.

The works were drawn-up following a public consultation held last year, during which views were sought from local residents and businesses.

Our Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership (AAP) allocated the £75,000 towards the scheme from its Towns and Villages Fund.

We backed that with a £95,000 contribution, while a further £63,000 came from believe housing.

Changes will deter anti-social behaviour

Cllr John Shuttleworth, our Cabinet member for highways, rural communities and community safety, said: "We've delivered these improvements in response to a number of concerns raised by local residents and early feedback has been very positive.

"As well as improving the look and feel of the estate, we're also hopeful that these changes will improve public safety and accessibility and deter anti-social behaviour.

"For example, one of the things people raised was youths throwing stones and debris from damaged walls, so we've taken out some walls and rebuilt others.

"It's been a real partnership effort driven by the council, AAP, local councillors and believe housing.

"We're hopeful the changes we've made will restore some pride in the neighbourhood."

Sean Cairns, major works manager at believe housing, added: "We aim to create thriving communities and healthy homes that people want to live in, so it was great to work on this joint project to improve the Henknowle area.

"Through teamwork, the scheme was completed efficiently and we can keep finding ways to improve neighbourhoods and residents' lives."