Consett Strategic Place Plan
Help shape Consett town centre's future
We are starting work in Consett with our partner Urban Foresight to find out your views and ideas about how you would like to see the town develop over the next 10 years.
We want this plan to be developed with our communities, so its important that you tell us what you would like to see for the future.
We want to hear from the people who live and work in Consett to help shape the future of your town. We want to understand your thoughts on its strengths and opportunities, what can be improved and what we’d all like Consett to be in the future.
There are no existing ideas in mind, this vision will be directly shaped by the people of Consett from the very beginning.
Over the next eight weeks, we will be talking to people in the streets, at transport hubs, bus stops, shopping centres, organising drop-in meetings, listening to children and young people in schools, visiting community meetings and local organisations to find out your thoughts on the town's strengths, opportunities, and challenges, and your hopes for its future.
About Consett
Consett is one of the main centres in County Durham, with a population of around 30,000 residents, and has convenient access to Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead and Stanley.
It is at the centre of a number of transport corridors, with the A691 linking the north-west of the county with Durham City and the A692 to the north providing further connectivity to Gateshead and Newcastle. The A693 links directly to the A692 and provides access to Stanley, Chester le Street and the A1. Alongside good road links, the C2C National Cycle Route also runs through the town, with up to 15,000 cyclists completing the route annually, and hundreds of thousands completing smaller rides on sections of the route.
The town is built upon a rich mining and industrial heritage, particularly steel production. Given its proximity to several cities, there are plenty of amenities, including high-end leisure facilities in Consett Leisure Centre, the historic Empire Theatre and a wide array of hospitality options, including restaurants, pubs and bars. The Derwent Reservoir is a very popular attraction, as well as the town being close to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Your views
We will use the information gathered from you alongside what we know about the town to develop a draft vision.
We will then come back and ask you again what you think about the vision and start to draw up plans to help us get there.
The boundary map shows the Consett town centre boundary. The area is bounded by the A692 and to the East and the South, Genesis Way to the West and Park Road and Durham Road to the North.
It also includes some of the areas linked to the town centre and which will have an influence on the Vision for the town including Consett Leisure Centre, Derwent Reservoir, Hermiston Park, C2C National Cycle Route and the North Pennines AONB.
We want to know if you think we have missed any important areas which should be included in the map.
Below shows what will happen during the project at each stage, how you can take part in the online surveys and other ways to have your say. The dates for future stages are provision and may change as the project progresses.
For more information visit Consett Strategic Place Plan.
Phase three of this consultation will close on 19 June 2026.
For more information contact CED@durham.gov.uk
To have this in a different format contact letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk.
Phases
Your views on the draft vision for the town
About the draft Vision
Below is the draft vision for Consett. Please let us know your views by completed a short online survey.
A response sheet will be available at the library from 20 May 2026.
"Consett will become a vibrant and thriving town where Middle Street and Front Street are revitalised into lively hubs of independent shops, culture, heritage and community life. Its natural assets—from Consett Park and the Derwent Walk to the Coast-to-Coast route and Derwent Reservoir—will be better connected and celebrated, driving health, wellbeing, and sustainable tourism. Anchored by places like The Hub, Consett Leisure Centre, and Derwentside College, the town will create inclusive opportunities for learning, work, and community connection, supporting a cleaner, safer, and more confident future”
Attached is a copy of the survey questions to assist you in planning your response and completing the online survey.
Alternatively, you can use this document to guide your response which you can email to letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk or post to: Consultations Team, Durham County Council, Rivergreen Centre, Aykley Heads, Durham, Co. Durham, DH1 5TS which must arrive by the closing date.
Events
Past events
Event date: February 10th, 2026 from 10:00 to 13:30.
Consett Bus Station
Event date: February 10th, 2026 from 15:00 to 19:00.
Consett Leisure Centre
Event date: February 26th, 2026 from 10:00 to 13:30.
Consett Library
Event date: March 20th, 2026 from 10:00 to 14:00.
Middle Street
Event date: March 21st, 2026 from 10:00 to 13:30.
The HUB Consett