Seaham Strategic Place Plan
Help shape Seaham town centre's future
We are starting work in Seaham 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 Seaham 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 Seaham to be in the future.
There are no existing ideas in mind, this vision will be directly shaped by the people of Seaham 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 Seaham
Seaham is County Durham’s only coastal town, located 6 miles south of Sunderland and around 13 miles east of Durham City. Its strategic position on the Durham Coast, combined with excellent connectivity via the A19, places it within the key north–south corridor linking Tyneside and Teesside, reinforcing its role as a well‑connected hub for business, investment and commuting.
Over the past twenty-five years, Seaham has been transformed through sustained public and private sector investment. Comprehensive programmes in infrastructure, land reclamation, master planning and place‑making have delivered new housing, retail and hospitality outlets, employment space and leisure developments, fundamentally reshaping the town’s economy and civic environment.
Seaham is widely recognised as one of the North East’s most distinctive coastal destinations. Its harbour marina, dramatic promenade, restored beaches and high‑quality coastal landscapes offer a rich visitor experience rooted in natural beauty, heritage and maritime culture. The town includes a designated Conservation Area centred around its historic harbour and surrounding streetscape, an area that reflects its architectural, industrial and maritime past. Seaham’s coastline also forms part of the Durham Heritage Coast, known for restored beaches, scenic walking routes and unique ecological habitats.
The iconic “Tommy” First World War sculpture (officially 1101), located on Terrace Green, has become a significant landmark and visitor attraction, drawing people from across the region and beyond.
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.
Seaham town centre is centred on the historic shopping area of Church Street and the adjoining Byron Place Shopping Centre on South Terrace. The town centre extends northwards towards the top of North Terrace, incorporating the commercial units and public space located at the edge of North Railway Street.
At its lower edge, the town centre boundary sweeps from Byron Place around the rear of Church Street, continuing through Shelley Street and Viceroy Street, before returning via Sophia Street to Blanford Place, and finally continuing down the rear of Church Street towards Green Street.
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 Seaham Train Station, Seaham Harbour Marina, Nose’s Point (Durham Heritage Coast), the Conservation Area and Tommy World War One Soldier Sculpture - Eleven 'O' One.
We want to know if you think we have missed any important areas which should be included in the map.
Complete our survey to enter into a free prize draw for a £100 One4All gift card. You will see the terms and conditions and privacy notice at the end of the survey.
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 Seaham Strategic Place Plan - Durham County Council
Phase three of this consultation will close 13 September 2026.
For more information contact CED@durham.gov.uk
To have this in a different format contact letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk.
Phases
Understanding your feedback
Seaham Strategic Place Plan Engagement Findings
In phase two, we have been understanding what you have told us
We have gathered your feedback from events, the survey, from schools and community groups and local organisations and employers and cross reference it with data and information we have about the town. We will then develop a draft vision for the town to share with you in the next phase.
What you told us
We engaged with over 772 people across a range of demographics:
- 213 survey responses representing residents of Seaham, wider County Durham, visitors and businesses
- 347 people engaged in 6 drop-in or on-street community events
- 197 young people engaged – 110 through school council engagement at Westlea Primary School, 87 young people engaged through the Durham Youth Council survey.
- 15 key stakeholders engaged during 6 interviews, including 8 attending the Town Council focus group.
The key findings are based on themed areas of heritage and regeneration; transport; safety and security; housing; education, skills and opportunities; community spirit; and health and wellbeing.
A summary of what you told us about the town is below.
Heritage and regeneration
Strengths
- Seaham's proximity to the coast and related assets such as the Marina and Durham Heritage Coast are greatly valued by residents and attract visitors.
- Heritage assets, including Tommy, seams mining and maritime history, and public art.
- Residents and visitors alike recognise the positive impact of the sea front regeneration efforts.
Challenges
- Regeneration has been uneven, with many feeling that the town centre has been left behind.
- Several prominent vacant buildings in the town centre.
- Lack of public toilets, signage, and indoor attractions
Opportunities
- Continue regeneration efforts on church street and the town centre to build on success of the sea front.
- Develop a coherent heritage strategy and explore opportunities for bicentennial celebrations.
Transport
Strengths
- Exceptional walking routes from the Durham heritage coast, sea front, town centre, and coastal paths.
- Good bus connectivity to Sunderland and rail connections.
Challenges
- Parking charges were the most discussed weakness in the town, negatively impacting local businesses, football, and resident perceptions.
- Rail services and buses to Durham City are believed to be inadequate.
Opportunities
- Improved bus and rail service provision, including increasing services and better reliability.
- Improve maintenance and accessibility of walking routes, including adding dropped kerbs and addressing the litter.
Safety and security
Strengths
- People feel broadly safe in the Seaham, especially during the day and in key areas such as the Marina and Byron place.
- The neighbourhood spirit was felt to continue to feelings of safety in the town, with people saying neighbours generally lookout for each other.
Challenges
- Anti-social behaviour was the largest concern with key hotspots including Church Street, the parks, and retail areas
- Residents believe that there is not enough police presence and that the police station is not open when needed.
- Off-road bikes, E-bikes, and scooters cause concerns for residents, especially when ridden dangerously on pavement in pedestrian areas and roads.
Opportunities
- Increase visible policing, especially at night time, on Church Street and the Marina.
- Introduced deterrents and preventative measures for E bikes and off road bikes.
Housing
Strengths
- Wide range of housing stock that is relatively affordable compared to national averages and cities in the northeast.
- Attractive residential areas, including many modern developments, and those benefiting from a proximity to the coast, and strong sense of community.
Challenges
- Concern that housing development is outpacing infrastructure growth, with concerns about schools, healthcare, and traffic.
- Shortage of social and affordable housing
- Condition of properties in the private- rented sector, with many residents expressing concerns about properties in disrepair, fly tipping, and absent landlords.
Opportunities
- Align new development housing with local character and similar increases in services.
- Transform vacant properties and brownfield sites into affordable housing and bungalows.
Education, work, skills and opportunities
Strengths
- Primary and secondary education in Seaham is highly valued, with primary schools and Seaham high school having good reputations in the town.
- Industrial estates, business parks, and good transport links providing access to employment opportunities.
Challenges
- Concerns that school capacity is not keeping pace with housing and population growth.
- Local employment opportunities seen as limited in quality, range, and progression opportunities.
- Skills and employability provision available within Seaham is believed to be inadequate.
Opportunities
- Plan to expand existing strong education provision, including nursery and sixth form, in line with future housing and population growth.
- Apprenticeships, technical training, and employment support to strengthen local skills pathways and support availability in Seaham.
- Expand employment opportunities by attracting new employers and supporting local businesses who can provide better paid and local employment options.
Community
Strengths
- The town's mining and maritime heritage, neighbourliness, and significant transformation contribute to the strong community spirit in the town.
- Community spaces and events, including the Leanne Kennedy centre, carnival, and markets bring together residents, and build social connections and pride in the town
Challenges
- Community cohesion is a growing concern with many residents describing division in the town and declining community spirit.
- Anti- social behaviour and safety concerns deterring residents from spending time in public areas and community life.
Opportunities
- Expanded programme of community events and types of activities offered.
- Increase provision of activities for young people, including youth clubs, recreational facilities, and activities during evenings and school holidays.
Health and wellbeing
Strengths
- The coastline, beaches, and green spaces provide excellent outdoor environments for walks, cycling, and recreational activities.
- Strong health and wellbeing offer including community activities, sports groups and clubs, and social groups.
Challenges
- The absence of a swimming pool and modern leisure facilities is a key weakness of the town for residents.
- Residents are concerned about the long queues for GP and NHS dentist appointments and increasing pressure on these services.
- Concerns about access and affordability of leisure services and activities and healthcare.
Opportunities
- The new health hub is seen as an exciting opportunity to improve health and wellbeing.
- Develop modern leisure facilities, including a swimming pool.
- Opportunities to enhance the outdoor health and wellbeing activities include wildlife walks, outdoor gym equipment, and improved clear parks.
Our approach for the next stages
We have shared these findings with senior officers across the council to develop a greater understanding of what local residents, organisations and businesses are telling us about the town. We will be setting up a group which will be made up of council officers and local partners to help identify what can be done to improve the area over the next 10 years.
As part of this, a vision for the town will be developed and shared with you for your comments. In addition, we are developing an investment plan.
Events
Past events
Event date: April 10th, 2026 from 09:00 to 15:00.
Byron Place Shopping Centre Seaham
Event date: April 11th, 2026 from 10:00 to 14:00.
Seaham SR7 7EE
Event date: May 7th, 2026 from 13:00 to 17:30.
Seaham Library
Event date: May 29th, 2026 from 08:00 to 14:00.
Church Street