Latest news with #StocktonCouncil
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New mural and sculpture planned to celebrate railway anniversary
A sculpture and mural marking the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway are in plans being considered by Stockton Council. The authority has submitted the proposals to its own planning officers for a cylindrical steel sculpture at Corporation Quay, Quayside Road, Stockton. Laser-cut words and poems will be etched into the structure with a solar-powered lamp for 'subtle, energy-efficient backlighting… creating a gentle glow that brings the text to life at night', says a statement from Element 3 Design Ltd. According to the application, the artwork commissioned as part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 200 anniversary celebrations programme will be built on a concrete slab base on the Riverside Walk. It would replace an existing seat and picnic bench on council-owned land near the Riverside footbridge. Most Read 'Devastation' as major North East festival confirms cancellation for this year Two in hospital after incident on County Durham street leaves road cordoned off North East beach 'wins' Brown Flag award for worst water quality again In a separate planning application, the council has asked for listed building consent to erect art mural boards to a wall at Stockton Railway Station, Bishopton Lane. It is proposed to install the mural on a wall of the grade II listed building as part of a series at other stations across Stockton, Darlington and Durham. A heritage statement to the council says: 'It is an art form that will speak to audiences that often may not at first be interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics or feel that their culture is not represented. In short it gives a social narrative and the community a voice.' The mural may be based on a theme like momentum, propulsion, tracks, journeys, time, community and workers: 'The artist will be asked to work with one of these themes with a community group or local artist in the development of the artwork and it is intended to add to the significance of the existing heritage of the station. The artwork will be available to view by members of the public at any time.'
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Petition prompts Yarm parking review call
Thousands of residents and traders have signed a petition calling on councillors to reverse a decision on parking follows the replacement of one hour of free parking with a £1.50 charge for three hours in Yarm and Stockton town claimed it was driving away customers and threatening their the petition containing more than 3,400 signatures was presented, Stockton councillors voted unanimously for a motion to call upon the cabinet to reverse the policy. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the petition read: "Free parking is crucial for supporting local businesses, encouraging footfall, and helping Yarm's economy thrive. "The council's changes to eliminate one hour free parking risks harming small businesses and deterring shoppers." 'Bustling to struggling' Paddy Morton, manager of the 170-year-old Strickland & Holt family business on High Street and chair of Yarm Business Forum, said almost all the street's businesses had signed it. He said that the council's current plan to review the charge within a year would be too late for many businesses."Footfall on the high street has already been adversely impacted by the loss of banks, post offices, lifestyle changes since Covid, the growth of online shopping, cost of living increases, inflation. "So we don't need more discouragement." Councillor Niall Innes, Conservative member for Hartburn, said: "Even a short visit now comes with a cost. "One hour free parking may seem small on paper, but for small businesses it was a difference between a bustling high street and a struggling one."He proposed a motion to send the matter back to cabinet for them to reconsider given the "vast public and business support for scrapping the new parking charges" and consult fully with businesses. The motion, which recommended cabinet reverse the policy and revert to one hour's free parking, was passed Paul Rowling, cabinet member for transport and resources and Labour member for Stockton town centre, said: "We have absolutely no intention of this not coming to cabinet because we feel local views should be heard."Stockton Council is run by a joint Labour and Independent coalition. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Preston Park aviary works begin, as major revamp continues
Works to revamp a popular aviary, as part of a multi-million upgrade of a local park, are due to Preston Park is undergoing significant redevelopment after the council secured £20m in government Levelling Up funds for the regeneration of the Yarm and Eaglescliffe area. Preston Park's aviary, which has been a key feature of the site since the early 1980s, is set to be expanded as part of the redevelopment, affording visitors better views of the River Tees. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council said they expect work on the aviary to be completed in July. The aviary's steel-domed structure will be retained, with the roof refurbished to provide additional shelter and a flexible seating small buildings within the aviary will be revamped, with secure doors added, which the council says could provide storage for outdoor activities such as paddle-boarding and open-water swimming by visiting artist, painter and former musician Kate Jackson will also create a mural across the back wall of the aviary, as part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway festival (S&DR200) which began in March and continues until September across the region. Other redevelopment projects in the park, including a two-storey extension to the museum, are near completion. The revamped museum, situated in a Grade II-listed, 19th century manor house within the park grounds, includes a new exhibition and gallery space for international exhibits - with councillor Nigel Cooke saying the site is "set to gain national attention".The enlarged space will also allow hundreds of unseen local objects to be put on park redevelopment includes an extension to the cafe, improved parking facilities and new public toilets."Our plans will ensure that other elements of the park, like the aviary, become a highlight once again for visitors," said Mr Cooke."The major exhibitions and events in the museum will bring thousands more visitors to Preston Park from the local area and further afield," he added. "I am looking forward to seeing so many people being able to enjoy this safe outdoor space once again." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Stockton children's food and holiday programme poorly attended
A holiday activities programme is to be overhauled after most of its places went Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) project in Stockton, which has been running for five years, offers activities including horse-riding, martial arts and paddle-boarding, as well as healthy meals. However, a review of the programme found that its booking system was "unfit for purpose" and, during Easter last year, 1,580 children and young people attended although there were 6,000 Council, which runs the programme with £1m from the Department for Education (DfE), said it offered balanced meals to children and "much-needed support" for families. The council select committee report found the booking system was not "user friendly".It also found parents and professionals did not know about the programme and many people did not realise they were eligible to take part, despite numerous promotion efforts. It also found low numbers of secondary school children and children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) were not taking up places, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. The council said the programme offered an "astonishing" range of activities and it was working on providing SEND-only sessions in committee chair Carol Clark said: "These activities allow our children to have fun and make new friends as well supporting their development, including lifelong learning."The council is now considering 16 recommendations including a better booking system and promoting HAF with parish and town councils. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
Eaglescliffe holiday let denied after prostitution complaints
Holiday let denied after prostitution complaints 7 minutes ago Share Save Gareth Lightfoot Local Democracy Reporting Service Share Save LDRS Stockton Council refused the plans following a number of complaints over safety Plans to turn a three-bedroom home into a holiday let have been denied after concerns were raised over drug use and prostitution. Six objections were submitted to Stockton Council over the proposals to change the use of the semi-detached house in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, into a short-term holiday rental. Residents have complained over safety, increased noise from the property and possible prostitution, with one objector saying "it would appear that we've had a 'lady of the night' entertaining several men". Cleveland Police confirmed a "number of incidents" had been reported. Objectors also spoke of concerns over parking and traffic issues, management and maintenance, anti-social behaviour and property values. The applicant told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they dispute the claims made by objectors, maintaining only one incident came to police attention. 'Truly worrying' Objectors' referred to "dodgy" people staying at the property and "unsavoury comings and goings", as well as "people hanging out of the upstairs window, smoking cannabis and shouting abuse at passers by" and "police swarming the street". Some of these complaints – which are believed to be disputed – involved suspected sex work and drugs, and police activity including a chase through gardens. One objector added: "Given that there are families with young children and vulnerable adults on this street, it is truly worrying that there appears to be no control over who is staying at this property, and some of them have been very dodgy indeed. "To be clear, there have been some genuinely nice folk stay there but that's the exception, not the rule." A management plan for serviced accommodation was submitted to the council. Planning officers found the development was acceptable in principle, but refused it to guard against harm to the character of the area. The applicant said they still own the property which is currently unoccupied and no longer used as a holiday let. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
