Stanley Strategic Place Plan

Help shape Stanley town centre's future

We are starting work in Stanley 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 Stanley 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 Stanley to be in the future.

There are no existing ideas in mind, this vision will be directly shaped by the people of Stanley 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. 

Stanley

Stanley is a small market town with a population of over 33,735 and is one of the largest settlements in north-west Durham and one of the largest parishes in terms of population in England.  Stanley is located on the hilltop between Consett and Chester-Le-Street, with the A1 and East Coast Mainline to the east. Historically, Stanley was a significant coal-mining area, with its economy primarily based on heavy industries. However, with the decline of coal mining, it has transitioned into a commuter town.

Stanley offers various attractions for visitors and residents alike, including: 

• Beamish ‘The Living Museum of the North’: An open-air museum that brings history to life with interactive exhibits and historical re-enactments.  
• Causey Arch: A historic stone arch and a popular walking area.  
• Tanfield Railway: The world's oldest railway which celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2025.
• Local Nature Reserves: Such as Chapman's Well, which provides opportunities for outdoor activities and picnics.  
• Golf Clubs: Including South Moor Golf Club, which is known for its challenging course. 

The civil parish of Stanley was created in 2007 and includes Stanley town centre, the surrounding villages of which make up the seven parish wards of:  

• Annfield Plain 
• Catchgate 
• Craghead and South Stanley 
• Havannah 
• South Moor 
• Stanley Hall, and 
• Tanfield. 

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.

Map of Stanley Town Centre

The boundary map shows the Stanley town centre boundary. The area is bounded by the A693 to the east, south and west, Oakey’s Park, Station Road and Church Bank to the North, Wear Road to the South and High Street to the east. It also includes some of the areas linked to the town centre and which will have an influence on the Vision for the town – Beamish Museum, Beamish Golf Course, Tanfield Railway and South Moor Golf Course.

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 Stanley Strategic Place Plan.

Consultation on Stanley bus station refurbishment

Please note: This consultation has been delayed and will now start on 20 October - 9 November 2025.

During this time, we will be asking for your views on a scheme to improve the existing bus station in Stanley. We are applying for funding from the North East Combined Authority and if successful, we will improve the interior and exterior of the bus station. We will have engagement sessions in the town for you to find out more and take part.

Phase one of this consultation will close on 5 December 2025.

For more information contact CED@durham.gov.uk

To have this in a different format contact letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk.