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Regenerating Pelton Fell

The Association is delighted to see residents move into their new homes at Pelton Fell, a former mining community near Chester-le-Street which has declined since the pit closed in 1963.

The homes are on the Whitehill Crescent estate which was built in the 1930s and comprised 216 homes, (100 of which were empty) and in 2002 Chester-le-Street District Council sought developers to put forward proposals for its regeneration, to include new housing for sale and rent, new community centre, multi use games area, play facilities and a mix of shops.

newsFollowing resident consultation days, a Development Consortium of DAMHA, Nomad Homes, Bellway and Carillion Training was selected by Chester-le-Street District Council in conjunction with the local residents - whose views played a big part in the process.

To enable local residents, and councillors to see the standard of homes built by the consortium members, visits were arranged to DAMHA schemes in Horden, Easington and Parkside, Seaham and Nomad schemes in Prudhoe, Newcastle and Longbenton. Everyone was suitably impressed with what they saw and heard from existing residents.

Before work could start, it was essential to re-house the existing residents from the first phase. Some residents took this opportunity to move permanently to other council homes within the district, whilst others have moved temporarily and will return to new DAMHA bungalows, Nomad houses or become owners of a Bellway Home.

newsDemolition of the first council houses commenced in July 2004, and the overall project will be completed in 2009. It will involve the construction of 246 new homes over 3 phases, of which 38 will be DAMHA bungalows for rent, 53 for rent and shared ownership by Nomad Homes and 155 for sale by Bellway.

A key plus point of the Regeneration Project is the creation of employment for local young people which has been provided by Carillion Training. The first intake of six trainees(eventually 24) started their training programme in August 2005 and will learn skills in brick-laying, joinery and painting and decorating.

newsOne of the first residents to move into the first phase of 12 DAMHA bungalows in June was Mr Fred Redshaw who said "I am thrilled to bits with my new home. It's been a long wait, but it has all been worthwhile. I really like the new bungalow - it's brilliant".

March 2006 saw the formal establishment of the Pelton Fell Neighbourhood Regeneration Partnership made up of representatives from Chester-le-Street Council, Pelton Fell Community Group, DAMHA, Nomad Homes and Bellway to drive forward the regeneration of the village.

The Association is proud to play its part and hopes to become involved in similar regeneration projects throughout the Durham Coalfield.