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  • Barnard Castle Vision,
    Teesdale House,
    Galgate,
    Barnard Castle,
    DL12 9EL

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Funding Obtained to Restore and Enhance the Tees Valley Landscape

20/05/2010

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced today that it has earmarked a first-round pass* for Barnard Castle Vision under its Landscape Partnership (LP) programme, to progress plans to develop, conserve and restore the Tees Vale landscape from Eggleston to Winston, including Barningham, Bowes and the River Greta.

As part of this award, HLF has awarded the Vision £87,000 of Development Funding to plan and prepare the full project bid and get the project underway.

Characterised by farmland, ancient woodlands, small villages and country parks, the 10,000 hectare area of the Tees Vale is renowned for its legacy of Roman roads, lead mining heritage, the romantic ruins of Barnard Castle and the inspiration it has given in the past to a number of distinguished writers and artists, including Wordsworth, Dickens and Turner.  

The objective of this ambitious five-year landscape project is to bring the unique characteristics of the area back into focus and to renew the views, walks, rural and town features of the local landscape to be enjoyed and appreciated by all.

Supported by Barnard Castle Vision and working with local partners, the five-year project will involve the community by encouraging people to volunteer as local wardens.

Commenting on the award, Barnard Castle Vision’s William Weston said:

“Overshadowed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North Peninnes AONB, there has never been a landscape renewal project in the Tees Vale until now. We are delighted that this funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund has been made available to us, as it offers us a tremendous opportunity to conserve and enhance the beauty of the Vale which local people rightly have a pride in and enable this very special area to become a beautiful attraction in its own right.”

Durham County Council’s Cabinet Regeneration Portfolio Holder Councillor Neil Foster commented:

“The HLF Development Funding obtained by Barnard Castle Vision is excellent news for County Durham. Through the regeneration project which is planned, the Tees Vale’s spectacular scenery will once again become a showcase for our whole county, helping to attract ever greater numbers of tourists and visitors to the region in the years ahead.”

Ivor Crowther, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said:

“Landscapes play a huge role in all our lives but we mustn’t take them for granted.  The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be providing an initial investment into these exciting plans for Tees Vale and Barnard Castle, particularly in this International Year of Biodiversity.  We look forward to seeing the project progress over the next year or so.”

* A Landscape Partnership (LP) earmarked first-round pass means that money has been set aside by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the scheme in question. Competition at this stage is tough, and while it does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive support. The applicant then progresses to the second round and submits a further, fully-developed application to secure the full award.  This early level of strong financial commitment means that LPs can build strong partnerships with the assurance that funding for their scheme is in place provided that their final proposals fully meet the programme's criteria.