1974 - First Boy Scout establishment in the world to be able to sell alcoholic beverages on the premises (Scout Hut). Scouts take turns in serving behind the bar (not in uniform). Presently one of the better pints in Wheatley Hill. 

Last Blacksmith to work the Chestnut Forge

The blacksmith's shop in the main street of Wheatley Hill was the setting for a sponsored "shoe-in" by the village smithy, Alan Hood. as he was sponsored by some of the local inhabitants on the number of horseshoes he could make in two hours.
Alan had originally hoped to reach a target of 25 but his final tally was one of 37, by which he raised approximately £200 in aid of a jubilee party for local children.(From newspaper clipping)


Thornley man Alan Hood is really forging ahead with his mobile blacksmith business.
For, despite being one of a dying breed, 34 year old Alan, who owns the Chestnut Forge, Wheatley Hill, has a successful business tending to horses all over the county.
When he took over the forge in 1973 Alan decided he had to keep up with the times so he scrapped working on farm implements and concentrated on shoeing horses for riding schools and hunts.
Now he has a full appointment book and regular customers in a 25-mile radius. He covers a large area as far as Darlington.
"I started the job 19 years ago and I have never done anything else nor have ever wanted to, I am one of a the last of the dying breed. There are only a few of us left in the county," he said.
The forge I took over has been here since the 1920s and I hope it's here in the year 2200.
"Perhaps after my days as a smithy are over this forge could die out. The trouble is that when the blacksmiths pass on there are no youngsters coming up to take their place. 
"A lot of youngsters are not interested, perhaps because they think it is an old fashioned trade that they cannot use elsewhere. Another reason might be that it is such hard work, I do not think many lads would be keen on that nowadays."
Alan who lives in Gore Hill Estate, Thornley, has won many competitions and was best farrier in the county under-26 category for three years.
Now he visits horse owners all over the county, measures for shoes, and then comes back to make them at the forge. He usually makes five or six a day.
" I really enjoy my job. I love getting out and meeting different people rather than being stuck behind four walls all day."
" I take a lot of pride in my work, like other blacksmiths. Nowadays there are not many people who enjoy their job. I certainly do."(From newspaper article 1977)

 

Unfortunately Alan was kicked by a horse and had to retire from the forge. Today it is the offices of a company selling houses in the area.

Letter from Easington District Council dated 2nd February 1988 with the following reports.

Easington District Plan - Report of Survey, prepared in 1979.

WHEATLEY HILL

  14.26   Wheatley Hill developed to the north and west of the mine which was sunk just a mile to the east of Thornley thirty years later in 1869. Typically, the early colliery housing was located close to the colliery and stretched westwards along the road to Thornley (the B.1279), where the Front Street developed along a ridge of higher ground, with terraced housing on the slope to the north (the numbered streets). With the growth of the pit in the first half of this century, the village was expanded in the inter-war period by the building of a large council estate, a secondary school and some private housing extending southwards from the western end of Front Street to the A.181 Durham to Hartlepool road. The only post-war housing allowed in the village until the recent relaxation of planning policies has taken development across this main road in the form of a small estate extending into open countryside.

  14.27    Following the clearance of the earliest colliery housing and of inter-war prefabs and the reclamation of this land, the pit heap and the colliery, (which closed in 1968) all that remains today to show the settle­ment was once a colliery village are two areas of colliery housing: the numbered streets north of Front Street and the named streets at the eastern end of the village. The numbered streets (with the exception of First Street) have recently been demolished and the residents re­housed in the Patton Street development. The Easington Interim Housing Study's redevelopment programme proposed that the area vacated by the numbered streets would be redeveloped to provide for those residents not rehoused in the Patton Street development and to make some new provision towards general waiting list demand. How­ever, since the Study was prepared, it has become apparent that, as in clearance areas in other former mining villages, there has been a signi­ficant loss of households from the numbered streets during the re­development process with the result that all the remaining residents of this area have now been rehoused in the Patton Street development. Moreover, there has been a decline in waiting list demand and it would now seem likely that most of this reduced demand can be met by the existing housing stock and management. There would therefore appear to be no immediate need to redevelop the numbered streets and this area should therefore be grassed over pending redevelopment. The future life of the named streets is, however, limited and these proper­ties are expected to be cleared soon after 1983. At present time it can­not be assumed that a new housing development will be required for the residents of the named streets if they are cleared after 1983. Net outward migration from the streets is likely to occur naturally over the intervening period and this may be accelerated should the District Council decide to give priority to residents of the streets in the allo­cation of existing Council houses. A future policy for the redevelopment of the named streets should, however, be decided upon and contained in the District Plan to ensure that a suitable site is made available if required and to avoid uncertainty for the residents. It is considered unlikely that Wheatley Hill will attract any large scale private housing development during the District Plan period to 1986, and therefore it must be assumed that future housing development in the village will be limited to small infill schemes catering for special needs (aged, dis­abled or single persons) of the District Council or private houses built on individual plots.

  14.28   The likely lack of future housing development in Wheatley Hill is largely attributable to the lack of local employment in the village since the closure of the pit. Apart from a timber merchant, a black­smith, a clothing factory and a light manufacturing firm, all at the eastern end of Front Street and mostly occupying old converted buildings, the only local employment is in shops and other services within the village. Even though the Thomley Station industrial site is less than a mile to the east the possibility of a small site for small factory units within Wheatley Hill should be examined. Inevitably though, the village will continue to look to the villages with working collieries, to Peterlee and to other major centres for most of its employ­ment needs. Like Thomley, Wheatley Hill is fairly well provided with 'bus services giving access to these settlements for jobs and other services.

  14.29   The absence of new housing development in Wheatley Hill will lead to the continuing gradual decline in its population (currently estimated to be about 4,030), putting pressure on the level of existing services. The village, being slightly larger than Thornley, is better served with shops and social facilities which are concentrated in Front Street and Quilstyle Road. There are about fifty shop units, providing quite a wide range of goods, several clubs and public houses, a community centre, scout hall, branch library, health clinic, doctor's surgery, a dentist, two churches, a greyhound track and a recreation ground. School provision currently consists of both primary and secondary facilities but the latter are due to close with the transfer of pupils to Wingate under the proposals for comprehensive reorganisation. This will result in the present girls' secondary school premises being adapted for junior use and the closure of the boys' secondary premises in Front Street for which an alternative use will need to be found. In addition to these facilities, there is a small fire station at the western end of Quilstyle Road which the County Council proposes to replace with a new fire station at the junction of Quetlaw Road with the A.181, replacing an area of unsightly wooden garages. This stretch of the A.181 through Wheatley Hill is being considered as a diversion in the mid 1980's with the possible creation of an improved road link to the Al (M) bypassing the village and removing through traffic.

  14.30                     Planning policies for Wheatley Hill beyond those referred to above would seem to need to concentrate on improving the quality rather than quantity of the existing houses and services and of the physical environment. It is the District Council's policy to improve and maintain its housing stock and open spaces in its ownership, such as the former ambulance depot site. Attention needs to be paid to improving garage and allotment sites, tidying vacant sites, finding acceptable uses for old buildings and improving their appearance, particularly in Front Street and along the main routes leading into the village. Front Street would greatly benefit from the removal of over­head wires but unfortunately this is likely to be afforded a low priority by N.E.E.B. and the authorities contributing to the cost of such schemes. The overhead wires along the A.181 are, however, to be undergrounded as part of a N.E.E.B. replacement programme. The major reclamation of the former colliery area was in two phases: the first dealing with the spoil heaps, railway and former housing areas north of the village, the second with the colliery area itself and the large pit heap to the south and east of the village. The reclamation scheme has done a great deal to improve the overall appearance of Wheatley Hill and has been awarded third prize in a national competition sponsored by 'The Times' and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Further efforts are required to improve the image of Wheatley Hill as a rundown colliery village and change it to a pleasant residential settlement if net outward migration is to be stemmed in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easington District Local Plan - Wheatley Hill Chapter The Local Plan was adopted by the Council in 1983, as part of the statutory Development Plan for the District. The chapter describes the Council policies towards industrial and housing development in the village and identifies certain sites for environmental improvements. Since 1983 a small industrial area has been laid out on part of the Numbered streets and is in the process of being sold to a coach operator. The former Boys School has been demolished and the site redeveloped with nursery factory units. Only limited housing development has occurred within the past five years and the Numbered and Name Streets remain to be redeveloped. Work is, however, due to start in the1989/90 financial year on the construction of a by-pass to the south of the village, which will ultimately relieve the problems of heavy traffic that presently pass along Wingate Lane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHEATLEY HILL

 

1.            INTRODUCTION

 

1.1        The closure of Wheatley Hill Colliery in 1968 and Thornley Colliery in 1970 resulted in rising unemployment and population decline, with the result that in most cases housing clearance has not been followed by rebuilding. New development would do much to restore confidence in the village but this is only likely to result from District Council initiatives, possibly through the development of a small industrial estate or the disposal of Council owned land for private or partnership development. In addition, continuing environmental improvements are needed to make the village more attractive for residents and to encourage private investment.

 

1.2        Past development extended the village south to the A181 with the result that many residents are a considerable distance from shops and facilities. In order that this situation is not aggravated any new development should be located as close to the central area as possible to provide support for shops and facilities.

 

2.            POPULATION

 

Since reaching its peak in the early 1950's, the population of Wheatley Hill has declined to its current (1981) estimated level of 3,790. Continuing decline is likely to occur over the Plan period, putting further pressure on the viability of shops and services, unless positive action is taken to reverse the trend.

 

3.            EMPLOYMENT

 

3.1        The closure of Wheatley Hill Colliery in 1968 with the loss of over 500 jobs and Thornley Colliery only two years later with 1,000 jobs, removed the village's major sources of employment. Over 200 miners still live in Wheatley Hill and commute to working collieries, consequently the village is still susceptible to contractions in the mining industry.

 

3.2        Although Thornley Station Industrial Estate lies only one mile to the east of Wheatley Hill and there is good access to Peterlee Industrial Estates via the A181, there is a need to provide alternative employment opportunities within the village to reduce unemployment and stem out-migration. In view of the particularly serious nature of the employment problem in Wheatley Hill, it is considered that the settlement justifies a high priority in the creation of employment opportunities through the development of a small industrial estate and the conversion of suitable redundant buildings to industrial use. The latter would be particularly cost-effective through utilising existing infrastructure. Advantage should be taken of assistance available from bodies such as Co.S.l.R.A. and the Development Commission who have designated Wheatley Hill an area of special need.

 

Former Boys' School, Front Street

 

3.3        The former Boys' School on Front Street is now vacant and a feasibility study is being carried out into its suitability for conversion. In view of its prominent location in the shopping centre the most appropriate uses for the building, or site if the building was demolished, would be light industry, wholesale or retail use.

 

POLICY Wh 1  THE USE OF THE FORMER BOYS' SCHOOL, FRONT STREET AS EXISTING, OR THE SITE ON REDEVELOPMENT, FOR LIGHT INDUSTRY, WHOLESALE OR RETAIL PURPOSES WILL NORMALLY BE APPROVED.

 

Land North of Former Boys' School, Front Street

 

3.4        This land forms part of the larger site known as the Numbered Streets formerly occupied by terraced housing. Although the land was previously identified for housing redevelopment, with falling demand adequate land more suitable for housing can now be provided elsewhere in the village. In location terms, the land would be suitable for industrial development, being close to the village centre and yet not overlooked by houses. In view of the need to provide local employment opportunities in Wheatley Hill it is considered that

the District Council should develop the site as a small industrial estate. In order to protect the amenity of existing and proposed housing (see PolicyWh 4), a substantial landscaped buffer should be provided to the west of the industrial estate.

 

POLICY Wh 2        THE DISTRICT COUNCIL WILL DEVELOP AN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ON THE LAND NORTH OF THE FORMER BOYS' SCHOOL, FRONT STREET.

 

4.            HOUSING

 

Existing Stock

 

4.1        There are approximately 1,540 dwellings in Wheatley Hill of which over two-thirds are in District Council ownership.

 

House Conditions

 

4.2        Although many Council houses have been subject to full or partial improvement schemes, a considerable number have been identified as being still in need of improvement. In addition, the environment of the Council estates would benefit from tree and shrub planting. The private housing is generally in good condition and in more attractive surroundings.

 

Housing Estate South of Quilstyle Road

 

4.3        Although several properties in this Council housing estate have been improved a considerable number still need full improvement schemes. The areas of open space within the estate are bare and would benefit from landscaping.

 

POLICY Wh 3        THE DISTRICT COUNCIL WILL IMPROVE THE HOUSES AND ENVIRONMENT IN THE ESTATE SOUTH OF QUILSTYLE ROAD

 

Implementation

 

1.        Henderson Avenue, Wheatley Terrace, Shinwell Terrace and part of Wordsworth Avenue are included in the Council's priority list for housing improvements. The remainder identified as being in need of improvement will be included in a future programme.

 

New Council Housing

 

4.4           The Patton Street housing development accommodated residents from the Numbered Streets which were subsequently demolished. It was originally intended that at least part of the latter site should then be redeveloped to accommodate any remaining residents from the Numbered Streets, residents from the Named Streets and to make provision towards general waiting list demand. Since 1 975 however, continuing out-migration has significantly reduced demand so that all general demand rehousing can be met within existing stock. There is a small need for aged persons' accommodation and it is intended that this will be provided by a Housing Association. In view of this overall lack of demand it is now considered that the Numbered Streets site should be released for private housing and industrial development (see Policy Wh 2).

 

 

New Private Housing

 

4.5            Although there has been little interest from the private housing sector in developing in Wheatley Hill, recent clearance, redevelopment and environmental improvements should make the village more attractive for private investment. Suitable sites should, therefore, be identified and the possibility of partnership arrangements with private developers should be investigated by the District Council.

 

Numbered Streets

 

4.6            With the exception of the northern five properties of First Street which are to remain for the foreseeable future, the Numbered Streets have been cleared and are in the ownership of the District Council. The eastern part of the site is proposed for a small industrial estate and substantial landscaped buffer (see Policy Wh 2). A doctor's surgery is being developed on the remainder of First Street and planning permission has been granted for a small aged persons' housing development adjacent to Percy Street. The remaining land is ideally related to shops and facilities and its redevelopment for housing should be actively promoted. In order to cater for the demand for low cost housing, the District Council will investigate partnership schemes as a means of securing its development.

 

 

POLICY Wh 4 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND BETWEEN FIRST STREET AND NINTH STREET FOR HOUSING WILL NORMALLY BE APPROVED.

 

Implementation

 

1.            The District Council will dispose of the land for private housing development.

 

Named Streets

 

4.7            The majority of properties in the Named Streets have now been cleared and the site should soon be available for redevelopment. The allotments to the south of the area do, how­ever, substantially detract from its appearance and must be relocated or rationalised. The redevelopment of the whole area for housing should then be promoted as it is well related to the village centre and has very attractive views southwards over open countryside. Piecemeal development of the area would be unacceptable.

 

 

POLICY Wh 5 THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE NAMED STREETS AND ADJACENT ALLOTMENTS FOR HOUSING WILL NORMALLY BE APPROVED.

 

Implementation

 

1.            The District Council will discuss with the owners the relocation of the allotments.

 

2.            The District Council will dispose of the land for private housing development.

 

Infill Sites

 

4.8            On the north side of Quilstyle Road are two sites which would each be suitable for development of a single house.

 

 

POLICY Wh 6 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO INFILL SITES, QUILSTYLE ROAD FOR HOUSING WILL NORMALLY BE APPROVED.

 

Implementation

 

1.            The land adjacent to 9, Quilstyle Road is owned by the District Council and will be disposed of for the development of a single house.

 

5.            TRANSPORT

 

Wheatley Hill is well located in relation to major traffic routes, with the A181 which runs through the southern part of the settlement providing links eastwards to the A19(T) and Peterlee and westwards to the centre of the County. The County Council intends to construct a southern by-pass on the A181 which would remove heavy traffic flows from this part of the village. Due to financial restrictions this will not take place during the Plan period. A minor improvement scheme is, however, to be carried out on the B1279 at the eastern end of the village.

 

6.            ENVIRONMENT

 

6.1    Due largely to extensive reclamation over the last ten years, Wheatley Hill is now set in attractive surroundings. Despite these major improvements, much still remains to be done if Wheatley Hill is to be attractive for residents and to encourage new investment. Priority should be given to the redevelopment of the Numbered Streets (Policies Wh 2 and Wh 4) and the Named Streets (Policy Wh 5). There are also several smaller sites elsewhere in the village which would benefit from attention. In addition, overhead wires along Front Street are particularly unsightly. The undergrounding of these wires is, however, unlikely as the priority over the Plan period will be existing Conservation Areas.

 

Front Street Properties

 

6.2   Although the commercial shopping area of Wheatley Hill is relatively stable, if it could be made more attractive in appearance, it would encourage new investment. A relatively inexpensive means of achieving considerable environmental improvement would be through a co-ordinate painting scheme for the properties and tree planting along Front Street.

 

 

POLICY Wh 7 THE APPEARANCE OF FRONT STREET SHOULD BE IMPROVED THROUGH THE PAINTING OF PROPERTIES AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, LANDSCAPING.

 

Implementation

 

1.     A scheme will be drawn up by the District Council in consultation with the Parish

Council and property owners and will be carried out by labour provided through the

Manpower Services Commission. The cost of materials would be shared by property owners

and the District Council.

 

Other Environmental Improvements

 

6.3   There are a number of other areas, particularly on the main traffic routes, which would benefit from landscaping.

 

POLICY Wh 8        THE DISTRICT COUNCIL WILL IMPROVE THE FOLLOWING AREAS THROUGH APPROPRIATE LANDSCAPING:

 

(i)        ADJACENT TO PATTON STREET HOUSING ESTATE (3 SITES)

(ii)        JUNCTION OF WINGATE LANE AND QUETLAW ROAD (WEST)

(iii)        HOUSING ESTATE SOUTH OF WINGATE LANE (5 SITES).

 

POLICY Wh 9 APPROPRIATE LANDSCAPING SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

 

(i)          ADJACENT TO COUNCIL YARD, THORNLEY ROAD

 

(ii)        EAST OF STEPHEN'S TERRACE

(iii) COMMERCIAL GARAGE, WINGATE LANE

(iv) COMMERCIAL GARAGE, THORNLEY ROAD

(v)        JUNCTION OF WINGATE LANE AND QUETLAW ROAD (EAST).

 

7. RECREATION

 

 

Formal Recreation Facilities

 

7.1        The formal recreation provision in Wheatley Hill is provided by the recreation ground east of Cemetery road which has recently been improved.

 

Golf Course

 

7.2   A need has been identified for an additional golf course in this area of the District. The use of reclaimed land near to the village for this purpose would have two major benefits. Firstly, it would provide a large recreation facility and secondly, it would have an immediate uplifting effect upon the local economy. The District Council will, therefore, promote the project through the possible partnership development between the District Council, County Council (as landowner) and a private company.

 

Play Areas/Open Spaces

 

7.3        Although there is a shortage of play areas and open spaces in the Council housing estate between         Quilstyle Road and the A181 its layout effectively prevents additional sites being provided.

 

8. SHOPPING

 

The main shopping area in Wheatley Hill is located either side of Front Street and recent surveys suggest that the number of shops is relatively stable, probably because it serves both Wheatley Hill and Thornley. If the centre could be made more attractive (see Policy Wh 7) this may serve to encourage further investment. Any new shops over 100 square metres should be concentrated on Front Street (as detailed in Policy 66, Shopping Chapter). Elsewhere in the village Policy 67 (Shopping Chapter) which only allows shops of up to 100 square metres, will be applied.

 

POLICY Wh 10 THE LOCAL SHOPPING CENTRE FOR WHEATLEY HILL WILL CONSIST OF BOTH SIDES OF FRONT STREET.

 

 

9. EDUCATION. HEALTH, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

 

Education

 

9.1        As the result of education reorganisation, several buildings have become surplus to requirements. A feasibility study is being carried out into the future use of the former Boys' School on Front Street (see Policy Wh 1). The Infants' School, Church Street is to be converted to a Youth Centre when finance allows. The former central kitchen to the north of these schools is to be demolished. There would appear to be adequate capacity in remaining schools to cater for any increase in the number of school children likely to result from housing development over the Plan period.

 

Health

 

9.2        When the new doctors surgery which is being constructed on First Street is completed, the village will be well served with health facilities.

 

Community Facilities

 

9.3       The Youth and Community Association uses the building adjacent to the Recreation Ground. There is a need to provide alternative premises for a Youth Centre and it is intended that this should be developed in the former Infants School when finance becomes available. Planning permission has been granted for development of a new Fire Station at the junction of Quetlaw Road and the A181 although its development during the Plan period is unlikely.

 

Land North of Front Street and Church Street

 

9.4       This area of land east of the Numbered Streets is in mixed use including a Scout Hut, School and vacant buildings. The Infants' School is to be converted for community use. In view of the existing uses, the location of the area and the need to improve its appearance, it is considered that only compatible development of a recreational, educational or community nature should be permitted. Industrial, commercial or housing development should not normally be allowed and any buildings for which a suitable alternative use cannot be found should be demolished and the sites reclaimed for public open space.

 

POLICY Wh 11  THE USE OF THE LAND AND BUILDINGS NORTH OF FRONT

STREET AND CHURCH STREET FOR OTHER THAN RECREATION, EDUCATION OR

COMMUNITY PURPOSES WILL NOT NORMALLY BE APPROVED.

 

10. PUBLIC UTILITIES

 

As a result of clearance over the past ten years, Wheatley Hill should have adequate sewerage capacity to accommodate development of the scale envisaged over the Plan period.

From an article in The Sunderland Echo, 17th September 1986

Parts of Wearside and County Durham have been branded as health black spots of the North in a new report out today.

It shows direct links between the health of the region's three million population and hardship.

Top of the list is Wheatley Hill in Easington.

With a population of 3,754 it has 52 deaths for people of under 65, and 23 low weight births between 1981 and 1983. There were 145 people reported as permanently sick or disabled in the same period.

Compare with districts in the South of England where health is good, Wheatley Hill had:

The report adds that the severity of ill health in Easington and Hartlepool is striking.

Six Easington wards and two in Hartlepool feature among the list of the 25 worst places in the region made up 678 wards from Berwick to North Yorkshire and Cubria.

'Nashville' an article in The Northern Echo, 20th November 1986

From an article in one of the local papers, I think it may have been The Peterlee Times and am not sure of the date.

New style fire station opens

A new style fire station - the first in County Durham to be built with a 'practice house' rather than a drill tower - has been opened at Wheatley Hill.

The £300,000 building, designed by Durham County Council's Land and Property Department, will provide emergency cover for settlements in the surrounding area and replaces the old fire station which had long since passed its life expectancy.

The new station is manned by volunteer firemen who all live in Wheatley Hill, and houses two fire fighting appliances in addition to ancillary accommodation including a watch room, a leisure/recreation room, showers, various types of storage and drill area.

Because there are no high-rise buildings in the area covered by the station, and due to the fact that new plastic hose reels do not need to be hung up to dry, it was not considered necessary to build a drill/hose tower -- a common feature of most fire stations.

Instead, a practice house was provided in which normal domestic conditions can be simulated for the firemen to practice various types of fire fighting and rescue techniques.

The new fire station was built with traditional materials to harmonise with the surrounding houses but with in-built design elements to express its function.

Children with speech and language difficulties are to be given more places in mainstream schools in County Durham.
Two ten-place units are being provided at Cheveley Park Primary, Belmont, Durham, and at Wheatley Hill Primary, near
Peterlee. Plans are also being drawn up for units in other mainstream schools. If agreed they would eliminate the need for
children to attend Percy Hedley Special School in Newcastle.
Evening Chronicle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, April 21, 1995.

October 1997-May 1998 Wheatley Hill Primary School Mosaic

A mosaic depicting a three dimensional representation of the village was constructed by the children under the guidance of Andrew Mckeon, a part time 'Artist in Residence'

12th March 1999 - Demolition plan for abandoned homes

Easington DC is consulting residents on plans to demolish hundreds of homes in a bid to stem abandonment. The council has prioritised four villages where many homes are standing empty, and some have structural problems.

In Parkside, Seaham, a £1.5 million plan has started to demolish 190 homes, sell off others, and build facilities including a community centre.

Residents in Murton, Wheatley Hill, and Thorney will be consulted soon, but the council has warned that demolition will be a prime issue.
‘It costs about £7,500 per home to demolish, including compensation, landscaping and improvements to tenants’ new homes,’ housing director Steve Southam said. ‘But it costs £2,000 a year in vandalism, security and housing revenue account subsidy lost when they stand empty.’

August 2004

Allan Fulcher sent me the attached article from the Readers Digest August edition. I will let the article speak for itself but the John Tulley in the article is the son of John Tulley from Wheatley Hill. Inspiring story.

Article in Sunderland Star  from Ray Jackson, South View dated 30th March 2006 about the changes in the Front Street.