Times Business
Sir John Hall hails ‘sleeping giant’
2:41pm Friday 13th August 2010
MULTI-BILLION pound plans to transform County Durham into an economic powerhouse have won the backing of one of the region’s most famous businessmen.
Former Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall said Durham County Council had long been a sleeping giant but its County Durham Plan opened the door to turn visions of a better economy, better housing and better jobs a reality.
He said: “I have always regarded Durham County Council as the sleeping giant, with great potential, and becoming a unitary authority means the council can help County Durham reach that potential.
“The plan opens the door to the discussion needed to make the visions a reality.”
Sir John’s backing will be a major boost to council chiefs.
They say the plan, on which two months of consultation closed last Friday, is a once-ina- generation opportunity to reverse economic decline.
Under their preferred option, Durham City would become a boom town and Aykley Heads a major business hub, nearly £100m would be spent on roads and thousands of new homes built.
Opponents say the plan would destroy Durham City, tear up greenbelt and ignore whole communities.
However, Sir John said: “There is a growing demand in County Durham for executive housing, offering something different.
“For the economy to grow, we need these homes for the business community, because it is the business sector which will drive the economy forwards in the future.”
Carillion Developments’ Neil McMillan, director of the Durham Gate scheme, at Spennymoor, said: “The document suggests some bold moves that could see the county transformed into an even more economically attractive and successful area over the coming years.”
Council chiefs hope the final plan will be agreed in May 2012.