People are being asked for their thoughts on the future development of seven towns across Northumberland. 
 

Alnwick, Bedlington, Newbiggin, Haltwhistle, Bellingham, Prudhoe and Rothbury have been identified as suitable for a ‘Place Plan’, which could ultimately attract up to £3m investment per town, to be spent over the next ten years. 
 

The cash injection is part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, with up to £350m of UK and Scottish Government investment targeting the five local authorities either side of the England-Scotland border. Within the Deal, up to £50m has been set aside for the initiative’s ‘Place Programme’. 
 

A short online consultation will be held for each of the seven towns over the coming months, asking people the best thing about their town, what they’d like to see improved and any ideas they have.  
 

The first Borderlands Place consultation taking place is for Newbiggin and people can access the survey HERE until February 20th. 
 

The investment approach will vary between towns, depending on how each place has been impacted by Covid-19, and the types and scale of intervention needed to support their recovery, resilience and return to growth. 
 

Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet Member for Regeneration with the County Council, said: “This Borderlands funding will be invaluable in helping to re-start local economies and towns as they emerge from the pandemic, focusing on repurposing towns and town centres and safeguarding and retaining as much as possible of the current business, employment, and population base.  
 

“As well as buying and regenerating key sites and buildings, funding could also be used to boost the arts, cultural and visitor economy or improve community, skills and education facilities. 
 

“One of the guiding principles of the project is putting communities at the heart of decisions about the challenges facing their towns and town centres and we hope as many people as possible will get involved.” 
 

More information on each of the town plans will be updated as their consultation dates approach. Details can be found HERE