Proposals for sports hub and Levelling Up Fund ambitions as part of further investment into Billingham take a step forward

Exciting plans to progress a sports hub in Billingham and continue a programme of transformational change in the town centre are set to be considered at the Council's cabinet meeting next week (15 MAY).

The plans include the ambition to create quality grassroots facilities for local clubs and residents to use, located on the former Billingham Campus site off Marsh House Avenue and Neasham Avenue.

The facility, progressed via the Football Foundation's Hubs Programme, would include a sports centre pavilion building, an athletics track, a 1km active track, full sized, all-weather and grass pitches, ball courts and new car parking.

Following previous approval to allocate £4million to support the sports hub's development from the Tees Valley Combined Authority to help drive economic growth in the town, Cabinet will be asked to approve the remainder of the TVCA allocation, £2million, to the project.

Meanwhile, plans to transform and revitalise Billingham Town Centre after securing £20million of funding from the Government's Levelling Up Fund, are progressing.

The Council is advancing legal agreements with town centre owners Evolve Properties to enable the purchase part of the centre, including West Precinct, the former library and Queensway South, to demolish the buildings and redevelop the site.

It's all part of a masterplan for the town centre, with the first phase of the redevelopment process focusing on working with Evolve to relocate tenants from the properties into other units in the town centre, before procurement of a demolition contractor takes place.

The cleared site will create an area that has the potential to create a residential community in the heart of the town centre, with new retail space and improvements to parking, accessibility and public realm.

Plans for delivering a residential development will then be developed and options for securing a development partner for the West Precinct and former library site will be explored.

Work is also underway to explore the reuse of the Wynyard House building as part of a broader piece of work to explore options for a public sector hub, ensuring the authority has a physical presence in the town centre and increases footfall.

Councillor Richard Eglington, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "We've got a strong track record of investment in Billingham and following a process of assessing the purchase options of the town centre over recent years, we've remained committed to supporting redevelopment and growth in the area. 

"The Sports Hub plans will not only provide excellent training and match facilities for clubs and leagues, but will also allow for opportunities for people access safe, inclusive and welcoming facilities in the town.

"Following receipt of a funding agreement, we are now able to progress our ambitious plans to revitalise the town centre and create new opportunities that will attract investment and ensure it is fit for future generations."

Following planning approval for the Sports Hub in April, progression is being made to finalise the design and enter funding agreements. This would support the aim of work beginning on site in Autumn, which would take around a year to complete.

The relocation of retailers in Billingham Town Centre is expected to take place throughout this year, with demolition beginning in early 2026.

For more information about Council investment in Billingham, visit the Billingham webpage on the Council's website.