Have your say: Views wanted on proposed improvements to Yarm High Street
The Council is inviting local people to share their views on whether to progress with the proposed improvements to Yarm High Street.
The proposed regeneration scheme, as part of the £20m Levelling Up Fund (LUF) allocation for Yarm and Eaglescliffe, would create new public spaces for people to sit and enjoy their surroundings across six areas of the High Street.
The plans aim to separate pedestrian areas from sections of car parking through seating, greenery and planting and improve accessibility to public transport. The scheme would also include new cycle parking, play on the way features for children and families and references to Yarm's history and heritage.
The proposals were developed with input from residents and businesses following two rounds of consultation in 2022 and this earlier feedback has helped shape the current design.
Following some opposition and the publication of a petition, the Council paused work in October and is now asking whether there is local public support for the scheme.
You are invited to have your say on the proposed scheme from Wednesday 10 December 2025 until Monday 12 January 2026. An online form is available to complete. A series of drop-in engagement sessions will also be held in Yarm Library, for anyone wishing to discuss the scheme further or to fill in a paper copy. The sessions will take place on:
- Thursday 11 December from 2pm to 6pm
- Tuesday 16 December from 10am to 2pm
- Tuesday 6 January from 10am to 2pm
Following this engagement period, responses will be summarised and considered at a future Cabinet meeting.
Councillor Richard Eglington, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "We're urging residents, businesses and visitors to have their say on the proposed improvements to Yarm High Street.
"We're proud of what we have delivered in Yarm and Eaglescliffe so far as a result of the Levelling Up Fund, including the major transformation of Preston Park into a new and inspiring visitor destination, restoring Yarm Town Hall into a fantastic heritage centre, creating a new public toilet on the High Street and improvements to True Lovers Walk and the Snaith's Field playground.
"These proposals are set to be the final piece of the jigsaw, but we recognise that this has to be right for residents, businesses and visitors, which is why we're seeking views on whether the Council should proceed with the scheme.. No decision has been made yet, and feedback will be considered alongside other relevant factors before any decision is taken. Please complete the online survey or call into one of the drop-in sessions at Yarm Library."
The Levelling Up Fund was announced by the Government in 2021 to allow local authorities to deliver local priority projects, including regenerating town centres, upgrading local transport infrastructure, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.
In early 2020, the Council undertook the Let's Talk About Our Towns consultation, which asked users of Yarm town centre to give their views on what is important to them and to inform future priorities for intervention.
Findings from this consultation identified the priorities that people wanted to see were:
- Improvements to long stay car parking and more cycle parking
- Better public toilet facilities
- More green spaces and links to the river
- Opportunities to enhance Yarm Town Hall
- Improvements to footpaths
These priorities informed a round one bid to the Government's Levelling Up Fund in June 2021. The bid was approved in October 2021 and Yarm and Eaglescliffe were awarded £20million of funding as part of the Stockton South constituency.
Two further consultations were held in August and December 2022, which gave the opportunity for the public to share their views on plans for improving public spaces and access to Yarm High Street, based on the priority themes that were identified from the first consultation in 2020.
The Council then presented the scheme for a series of public spaces in May 2025, which reflected the principles and feedback received through the various stages of consultation.
Find out more about the Yarm High Street scheme and access the online form.
