Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council revisits Middlesbrough regeneration proposal

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council is seeking to revisit proposals for the redevelopment and regeneration of Eston Precinct, North Yorkshire.

The decision comes after a significant rise in construction costs, uncertainty around property acquisitions, and the securing of an anchor tenant to the area since the COVID pandemic.

The council will commit to work with key partners, including local businesses to develop revised plans going forward into the future.

Cllr Chris Gallacher, Cabinet member for Growth, said: “It is a great pity that we have had to decide to stop work on the current scheme for the revitalisation of the Eston Precinct and explore other options with regard to the project delivery.

“We have been trying for a long time to reach agreement on acquiring the relevant properties to deliver the project, which itself has proven difficult, but in these COVID recovery times due to a significant increase in projected build costs and uncertainty around the securing of an anchor tenant to one of the units we are left with no other option than to stop progress on the current scheme as envisaged.

“However, we will work to develop an alternative project and fully involve local businesses and the local community that will modernise the Precinct and give the residents of Eston a place worthy of their wait, which has been a long one.”