Work on High Street pauses for more public consultation

COUNCIL leaders have agreed to pause work on Yarm High Street to consult more with residents and businesses following a petition and calls to halt the work by political opponents.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

Work on the proposed regeneration scheme was due to start on October 20 but Stockton Council's leadership issued a statement last night, saying a petition had been launched last week and “we will not do things that residents do not want”.

This follows a challenge from the town's Conservative group, calling on the authority to postpone the scheme and claiming the Labour-led council was “riding roughshod over Yarm”. The Conservatives put forward a motion for the full council to debate “the lack of consultation with local businesses and residents” at its next full meeting on Wednesday, November 19, saying there had been “widespread concerns” and describing the forthcoming changes as “deeply concerning and totally unacceptable”.

Council leaders responded that the scheme, funded with £20m from the previous Conservative government's Levelling Up Fund, had consultation in August 2022 and December 2022 with nearly 500 responses received.

“However, since the launching of a petition last week it has become clear that people wish to have a further say,” said the statement from the council leadership.

Cllr Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “I have always been clear that we will not do things that residents do not want. Following the petition that was launched last week I have asked officers to do what is needed to pause the proposed scheme to give people another chance to have their say.

“We are reaching out to the organisers of the petition to arrange a meeting and will work through how the consultation will take place in the coming days. Once the details have been announced, we will ensure they are publicised widely and urge every person to have their say. We want to ensure we get the best outcome for the residents and businesses of Yarm.”