Latest news with #Peterlee
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Aldi fits solar panels at more County Durham stores in £7.7m scheme
Aldi is rolling out solar panels across more County Durham stores as part of a £7.7 million investment in renewable energy. Stores in the region will be among those to benefit from the supermarket's latest green upgrade, which forms part of Aldi's on-site renewable energy programme. The UK's fourth largest supermarket is installing advanced 144 kWp solar systems at 41 stores before the end of 2025 and a further 49 stores the following year. (Image: Aldi) Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said: "By expanding the use of solar panels across our UK stores, we're making practical, long-term changes to how we power our operations, which will help us generate more of our energy on site from renewable sources. "By investing in our estate now, we're strengthening the resilience of our operations and helping ensure we can keep delivering great value for customers across Britain in a more sustainable way." In County Durham, solar panels have already been spotted at Aldi stores in Crook, Stockton and Spennymoor, with the Peterlee location also set to benefit. Each new solar installation is expected to generate around 100,000 kWh of electricity annually. The programme is part of Aldi's broader commitment to increasing its use of renewable energy and improving energy security across its sites. READ MORE: 'Real possibility' of County Durham locations merging due to 'overdevelopment' Huge solar farm between Darlington and Stockton approved by Government Pub owner 'over the moon' after being shortlisted in Echo's best pub All future new Aldi stores will be fitted with the advanced solar systems as standard. The retailer has also made other sustainability improvements, including converting more than 30 per cent of its owned HGV fleet to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in September last year. Aldi has also introduced chiller doors in its stores, reducing energy consumption by around 20 per cent per site.
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Two-bed family home on the market for just £5,000- but there's a catch
A family home could be yours for a steal of a price- but potential owners may need to get their hands dirty. The two-bed property, on Eleventh Street in Peterlee, Durham, is up for a guide price of just £5,000- less than the price of a used car. While the price tag may seem like a dream come true for first-time buyers or bargain-hunters, the inside of the home paints a very different picture. Snaps show every room in the house piled high with mounds of rubbish, discarded clothes and broken furniture, closely resembling the scene of a hoarder's home rather than a cosy family abode. Prospective buyers will have their work cut out as the rooms are piled high with rubbish, meaning buyers may want to bring gloves and a very strong stomach. The house is stacked with unwanted items including chairs, mattresses, drawers and discarded doors, picture frames and clothes. Snaps of the kitchen show missing cupboards under the sink with debris scattered across the worktops and on the ground. The floor is barely visible beneath the layer of rubbish. Each room in the home is piled high with discarded clothes and household items, resembling that of a hoarders property. There is also a bath pictured which appears full with unwanted items alongside damage to the tiled walls. Despite the state of disrepair, estate agents are calling it a 'fantastic investment opportunity'. In contrast, the average house price for a terraced property in Peterlee stands at just over £74,000 according to Rightmove. An online advert by auctioneers Under The Hammer reads: 'A vacant freehold property located in a residential area within Peterlee. 'The property has a reception, kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. 'Externally the property benefits form on- street parking and a paved rear garden.' A spokesperson added: 'It is due to go to auction soon so people will bid above that price. 'With it being listed at that price it will attract a lot of people to the property.' While it may take a few skips and a serious clean-up operation to make the house habitable again, some buyers may see the potential for a renovation project – or even a profitable flip. With the right vision (and a lot of elbow grease), this house could be turned into a tidy little earner. But for now, it's a fixer-upper in the truest sense of the word. It comes after another two-bed home was put up for sale for the bargain price of £145,000, but there was also a catch. The semi-detached house in Alvaston, Derby, is swamped by hoarded toys, blankets and cards that say the word 'Mum'. A generous estate agent description says the home is 'spacious' and 'an excellent find', lauding its 'inviting landing area' - although they do admit that it is 'a small renovation project'. They add that they anticipate a 'high amount of interest'. The wallpaper on the walls is dark with damp, while the dilapidated kitchen is piled high with cans, packets of food and teabags. Black mould covers the grimy walls and ceiling of the old-fashioned bathroom, where the shower rail has fallen from the wall and the sink cabinet has collapsed. And in the neglected garden, wheelie bins lie abandoned amid overgrown bushes and piles of cardboard. In stark contrast, from the front of the building, the meadow-like lawn is divided sharply from the manicured green grass of their next-door neighbour. Viewers reacted in horror to the property after seeing the home on social media. One, Gavin Barrie, said: 'Oh god I need to go and shower after seeing that.' Another took a jibe at the suggestion that it would only need a 'small' renovation - joking: 'with a flamethrower?' A third said: 'You can smell those pictures,' while a further commenter added: 'Hazmat suit required before entering.' But others were more sympathetic over the tragic sight. Melindi Scott, said: 'That is just the saddest thing,' while another, Peter, added that it would be 'brimming with memories'. The property has two large bedrooms, one family bathroom and a lounge spread across two floors. In one room a trio of musty suits still hang from the handle of the wardrobe, while an umbrella can be seen safely stored on top. In the master bedroom clothes remain folded at the foot of the bed and the sheets show signs of wear. In the corner, huge piles of clothes and other indistinguishable items cover the floor. The seller Springbok Properties - who recommend that viewing is 'highly advised' - recommended the house as an 'ideal investors opportunity'. They said: 'Nestled within the charming village of Alvaston, this property offers an ideal setting for those looking to expand their portfolio or embark on a small renovation project. 'The home is conveniently located with easy access to a wide range of local amenities, transport options, and major road links, making it a desirable choice for buyers seeking both tranquillity and convenience. 'The accommodation briefly comprises a welcoming entrance way, a spacious living room and a fitted kitchen. 'To the first floor is an inviting landing area through to two well-proportioned bedrooms and a three-piece bathroom with a tub-shower combination, a hand wash basin and a WC. 'This home is an excellent find. We anticipate a high amount of interest and as such we would recommend that any interested buyers inquire to arrange a viewing at the earliest convenience to ensure the opportunity is not missed.'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans unveiled for 70 affordable homes on former County Durham industrial site
A housing association has announced a proposal to redevelop a former industrial site in County Durham to address the growing need for affordable housing. Believe housing wants to transform 2.77 hectares of disused land on the North East Industrial Estate, off Armstrong Road, in Peterlee, into a community with 70 new affordable homes. The plan, made in collaboration with planning consultant Lichfields and regional housebuilder Oaktree Living, includes eight bungalows and 62 houses, all with private gardens and parking, that would be available for social rent or affordable home ownership. The proposal is being shared with neighbouring residents for feedback. Further details and an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed development, by Wednesday, July 23, can be found at This feedback will help shape the final proposal before a planning application is submitted to Durham County Council. Tom Winter, assistant director of development at believe housing, said: "Our nearby Weavers Close development has been very popular, providing the high-quality affordable homes people deserve. "However, more homes are needed, and we believe this site is perfect for development. "We aim to deliver energy-efficient, affordable homes that are healthy and affordable to run while regenerating this eyesore site, which has been vacant for more than two years and is no longer needed for industrial use. READ MORE: Rare breed of horse cherished by the late Queen joins Bishop Auckland theatre show Town to step out in style for ball in memory of 'much-loved' Grace and Wendy Plans to transform Grade II-listed church into housing, offices, and gym approved "The site is well-positioned for access to amenities and employment opportunities in Peterlee, as well as Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle, and beyond. "If approved, this project will improve lives, enhance the area, support local infrastructure, and boost local jobs and businesses during construction." Building work could start next year, if planning permission is approved and government funding towards redevelopment costs is secured.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Game over for Tomb Raider composer after Covid loan fraud conviction
A video game composer and sound designer best know for his work on the Tomb Raider series has been jailed for fraudulently applying for a Covid loan. Peter Connelly, who is based in Durham, overstated his company's turnover to obtain a second Bounce Back Loan of £37,500 in 2020 when businesses were only entitled to a single loan. Connelly had previously secured a legitimate Bounce Back Loan worth £22,000 one month earlier. The 52-year-old, of Lambton Court, Peterlee, was jailed for 16 months at a hearing of Durham Crown Court on Thursday, 17 July. He was also disqualified as a company director for six years. Tomb Raider composer 'blatantly disregarded the rules' David Snasdell, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 'Peter Connelly blatantly disregarded the rules of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, designed to support small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic. 'Connelly not only secured two loans when businesses were only allowed one, but deliberately inflated his company's turnover to receive more money than he was entitled to. 'The Insolvency Service is the lead agency for tackling Bounce Back Loan misconduct and we remain committed to ensuring fraudsters who stole from the public purse during a national emergency are brought to justice.' Connelly was the sole director of Peter Connelly Limited, established in June 2008. The company was known as Universal Sound Design Limited up until November 2012, and it described its trading as 'sound recording and music publishing activities'. First Bounce Back Loan was allowed According to the Insolvency Service, Connelly's first application for a Bounce Back Loan was in May 2020, when he secured £22,000. It added that this application was within the rules of the scheme. However, one month later in June 2020, Connelly applied to a different bank for a Bounce Back Loan of £37,500, claiming his company's turnover for 2019 was £150,000, the organisation said. The Insolvency Service said its analysis revealed his turnover was just over £58,000, meaning he substantially inflated it on his second application. Connelly also falsely declared that this was the only loan he had applied for, it added. The Insolvency Service said that in interviews, Connelly said he had been given the opportunity to re-imagine the music for the Tomb Raider soundtrack. This was a significant project which had the potential to be very lucrative, he added. To complete the project, Connelly said he had taken out personal loans and sold his car. However, Connelly said everything stalled at the start of the pandemic. Peter Connelly Limited went into liquidation in August 2021. Neither loan had been repaid at this time, the Insolvency Service said. Connelly himself entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) in June 2022, a legally binding agreement where he has committed to making regular payments to an insolvency practitioner to repay his debts. The IVA remains active, the Insolvency Service said. Sign in to access your portfolio
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
Peterlee pair who raped girl as teenagers jailed 40 years on
Two men who raped a young girl and sexually abused a boy 40 years ago have been Willis, 57, and Anthony Douglas, 58, finally faced justice for their 1980s offending after one of their victims reported them to police in 2019, Newcastle Crown Court teenagers, the pair jointly raped and molested a primary-school-age girl and sexually abused a boy, while Willis also assaulted two other children, the court who admitted multiple sexual offences and was found guilty of others, including rape, was jailed for 13 years. Douglas, who was convicted by jurors, was jailed for 16 years with a one-year extended licence. The two rapists were living in Peterlee, County Durham, at the time of the abuse, with Willis, formerly known as Neil Blenkinsop, aged between 14 and 17 and Douglas aged 19 to 20, the court were both found guilty of indecent assault and rape against a girl, with Douglas, now of Hartlepool, also convicted of three further counts of rape in relation to the same a statement read to the court, the victim said the pair had "destroyed" her life, adding: "No child should ever have to live through what they did."She said she still thought about the abuse daily but there had now been some justice and she hoped the two men would feel as scared "every day" as their victims had been. Police find victims Willis, now of Ealing in Greater London, was also found guilty of assaulting a boy, a crime which today would be classed as rape, and Douglas was convicted of indecency with a child relating to the same had admitted crimes including indecent assault against a third victim, but was found guilty of offences including indecency with a child against a of the victims reported what had happened in 2019, with police then tracking down the others, all of whom had thought they were the only ones to be abused, the court Robert Adams said he had to sentence the two men according to the rules in place for their ages at the time of the men will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
