Cracking down on serious crime
I’ve been working hard with the police to ensure strong action has been taken following serious incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour taking place in parts of Aycliffe. This has included a suspected arson attack and repeated very disruptive behaviour from a number of properties.
I will not tolerate serious crime in our community. I’ve been in regular contact with Durham Constabulary about this and have been receiving urgent updates. Additional police resources have been moved to Newton Aycliffe and, thanks to a swift response from the police, a number of arrests have been made.
If you have information that could help the police, please contact Durham Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Heighington Lane Incinerator
Following months of assessment, the Environment Agency has announced it’s minded to approve the application for the hazardous waste incinerator on Heighington Lane.
I’ve opposed these plans since before I was elected as your MP. I formally objected to the original planning application and this Environment Agency environmental permit application, so I’m disappointed by the announcement.
This is not the final decision. The agency has opened a consultation on the proposed approval, which is open until 1st December. I’ll be submitting a response to this latest consultation on behalf of local residents and businesses. Please get in touch to let me know your views.
I’d also strongly encourage residents and businesses to respond directly to the Environment Agency at: https://consultations.environment-agency.gov.uk/pri24/survey
Working with local businesses
It was great to speak to a packed room at the Newton Aycliffe Business Park Community Breakfast. The park employs over 10,000 people across 500 companies. It was really good to talk about how we can work together to encourage local investment and create more well-paid jobs.
I’ve also met a number of great local businesses recently, including Steven Jackson from Newton Aycliffe who has created the You Define You mental health apps to support mental health and wellbeing.
Lots of people from our area work at NETPark in Sedgefield and one of my top priorities is growing the number of jobs. I’ve been working closely with Durham University to help secure £10 million of funding to create a new research and innovation centre at the site. This will be a hub for cutting edge technology, growing well-paid jobs and opportunities.
Restoring Heighington Station
Thanks to the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway for putting on such a great event at Heighington Station recently. It was great to be there and I really enjoyed going on a tour of the building with the architect, employed by the Friends group, to learn more about plans to restore the station buildings which will be brilliant.
As always, if I can help you or your family with an issue, please get in touch.
