The heart of Pelton Fell beats again

The new Community Resource Centre in the regenerated Pelton Fell area of Chester Le Street was officially opened this week by Government minister Angela Smith MP.

The residents of Pelton Fell were the first in the country to take charge of their community centre under the Government's £30 million Community Assets programme.

The £1.4 million Pelton Fell Community Resource Centre (CRC) benefited from a £337,000 grant, the first to be awarded under this scheme funded by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office and delivered by the Big Lottery Fund.

Lewis Rimington, neighbourhood investment manager for NomadE5, played a key role in advising the community on funding applications to make the CRC scheme possible.

The newly opened CRCnow includes facilities including its own café, and a floodlit multi-use games area. It is the latest phase of the regeneration improvements in the village, which have already made a huge difference to the physical appearance of the area.

Over 3,000 people in Pelton Fell and neighbouring areas, plus around 30 community organisations, will benefit from the refurbished centre.

Minister of state for the third sector, Angela Smith, MP, said: "The Government is investing £30 million across the country into community projects such as Pelton Fell Community Resource Centre in Chester-le-Street. The regeneration of the property will create a great new facility for the people of Pelton Fell."

Local MP Kavan Jones also spoke at the event.

NomadE5 is a key partner in the regeneration of Pelton Fell, and will eventually own and manage 90 homes on the re-built estate.

The former districts, and now, the unitary council, have worked hard on the CRC refurbishment project to broaden the centre's facilities and programmes to local people, as well as repairing and extending parts of the building. Work has recently been completed, with a key to the centre handed over to the local community.

The Pelton Fell Community Group and the Neighbourhood Regeneration Partnership have worked together to regenerate the village, and have recently come together as the Pelton Fell Community Partnership (PFCP) that will lead on social, economic and environmental regeneration and build a strong and sustainable Pelton Fell.

The organisation is led by residents who always have the last say on any decisions, though Durham County Council is represented, and council leader Cllr Simon Henig is personally involved, with Cllr Linda Marshall acting as Vice-chair on the PFCP.

The partnership will run the Community Centre and also develop enterprise activities side by side so that all of the benefits are ploughed back into the community.

Cllr Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council, said: "This project is an excellent example of local people coming together with a singular vision to improve their community. The Council has supported the PFCP by putting them firmly in the driving seat, and we hope that Pelton Fell's success encourages other local communities to take a similar approach."

Stephen Barr, chair of the PFCP, said: "Every aspect of this project, especially identifying the community's priorities, was driven by the active participation of local residents. "It is a tribute to the local community that we have achieved this - it is their sheer grit and determination that have resulted in these marvellous facilities."