Town Centre Regeneration To Commence
The £35m transformation of Ashington town centre is gathering pace over the coming weeks. Major works to demolish Wansbeck Square are getting underway this Autumn kick-starting a number of improvements around the town.
Over 450 people contributed to consultation events this year, helping to shape plans to improve the town through the Ashington Regeneration Programme with work now about to get underway.
Funded by UK Government, the North East Combined Authority and the County Council, the works are the first stage in the redevelopment of Wansbeck Square which is set to start in Spring 2025. The site is proposed to become a new youth and community facility and a welcoming and attractive gateway between the town centre and new rail station.
The town centre continues to be open and accessible throughout the works, with more information to be circulated to nearby residents and businesses.
Demolition works will be phased, to keep disruption to a minimum, and are due to complete in early 2025.
The planning application for the proposed new community and youth facility at Wansbeck Square has also been submitted, setting out the detailed proposals for the site.
Improvements in and around Grand Corner and Portland Park will be confirmed later this year. This will include improving pedestrian movements from the new Ashington Station through the high street and into Portland Park – the proposed home of a new cinema and restaurants.
Consultation feedback indicated respondents felt strongly that the area to the rear of Lintonville Terrace, Woodhorn Road and the adjacent vacant plot on Portland Park needs to be more welcoming, safe and accessible. As such units 2-4 Woodhorn Road will now be retained and improvements to the area will be made addressing these concerns including additional street lighting and signage, road surfacing and paving, CCTV, clearing the vacant site and introducing a new path and greenery through the area.
A new family friendly events programme will also be launched from Winter 2024 complementing activities already on offer. Walk the Plank, an events company with over 30 years’ experience of creating performances, festivals, outdoor art, lighting and fire installations, parades and civic celebrations will deliver this working with the local community and partner organisations.
The Ashington Regeneration Programme to improve the town is being delivered by Northumberland County Council with support from Advance Northumberland. The programme is funded by UK Government including through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the County Council, North East Combined Authority and Advance Northumberland.
Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “This is a huge step forward for the town centre’s redevelopment. Wansbeck Square’s a prominent site which is no longer fit for purpose, our focus is on creating a welcoming gateway into the town boosting the high street especially with all the new commuters and visitors the new rail line will bring. We appreciate local business and residents’ support while we undertake these important works. We’re liaising closely with all those nearby before the works start to ensure they can continue to operate during the demolition phase and then the construction period which is set to follow next year. It’s great to see all the changes to make Ashington even better as delivery ramps up this Autumn.”
Ashington Central County Councillor Caroline Ball added: “I’m pleased to see the progress made over the summer following the public events earlier this year. I’m looking forward to seeing Wansbeck Square and the wider town centre improved for everyone’s benefit and seeing work get underway this Autumn.”
John Johnston, Ashington Town Board Chair added: “I’d like to thank local residents, businesses and partners for influencing all our plans following the excellent turnout to our recent events, and for their support while we undertake works as well as working with us on this journey. This really is a time of major positive change for the town and I’m looking forward to seeing all the improvements being made to the town’s offer.”
