£19m plans for area’s revamp due to start
Aug 22 2009 by Ben Guy, The Journal
A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to transform the centre of an East Durham town will get under way next week.
A ground-breaking ceremony next Thursday will mark the start of a £19m project to revamp the St John’s Square area of Seaham.
The revamp of the rundown area will see the demolition of existing Durham County Council and NHS County Durham buildings and the construction of new facilities, including a Primary Care Centre and multi-use facility housing a library and new town council offices.
The development will also include a public open space at its centre.
Coun Alan Napier, Deputy Leader of Durham County Council, said: “We have been working on the proposals for the regeneration of St John’s Square for some time now, so it’s particularly pleasing to see work finally starting on-site.
“The development is an extremely important part of our long-term plans to breathe new life into Seaham and will see the creation of a range of facilities in the heart of the town.”
The multi-use centre, which will be built on the former bus station site, will be built to eco-friendly standards and will also include an East Durham Homes office, facilities for people with learning disabilities, a mental health resource centre, Children in Need service and a café.
The health centre, meanwhile, will occupy the current site of the former magistrates’ court on Viceroy Street, and will house GP facilities and a walk-in, therapy and treatment centre offering clinic, X-ray and community dentistry services.
David Gallagher, NHS County Durham’s Director of Partnerships and Services, said: "NHS County Durham is delighted to be working with its partners on this important scheme.
“It provides an excellent opportunity to improve the facilities for health services available for the people of Seaham.”
St John’s Square was built as a civic precinct in the 1960s, but many of its buildings have become run down in recent years.
The plans for its redevelopment were put together following a public consultation, and form part of a long-term programme to transform the historic town.
Last month, work began on a £3.2m scheme to transform the North Dock into a working marina with space for more than 70 boats.
And the Byron Place shopping centre, which opened in November 2008, now offers a range of big name brands, including Asda and Argos.
