Made here: A Blueprint for Central Stockton and North Thornaby's Future

Ambitious proposals that set out an exciting and innovative future for Central Stockton and North Thornaby over the next 25 years will be considered at a Cabinet meeting next week.

The Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint outlines Council plans to create prosperous, vibrant places fit for future generations, mixed-use neighbourhoods and a stronger town centre with increased footfall.

The vision will inform future design and used to meet the Council's and local people's ambitions to revitalise the area and ensure it is a safe and welcoming place to work, live and visit.

It also builds on ongoing regeneration in Stockton Town Centre to transform Castlegate Shopping Centre site into Stockton Waterfront urban park and reconnect the High Street to the river.

The Blueprint was developed in consultation with residents, businesses and partners, including young people from Stockton Riverside College. It focuses on eight key areas which will better connect the towns, places and people.

• Town Centre (South)
• Town Centre (North) 
• Municipal Quarter 
• Castlegate Quay 
• Prince Regent Quarter 
• Waterways 
• North Shore 
• Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone 

The bold schemes which feature include creating riverside apartments with retail on the southern part of the waterfront site and new homes on the former Post Office site, redeveloping the former Debenhams building into a unique town centre attraction with food, drink and small-scale leisure venues. There are also plans to increase leisure and residential opportunities on the riverside.

Key proposals in North Thornaby also include the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone, with a new Transport Hub at Thornaby Station, an 'Open Innovation Campus and Care and health-focused residential neighbourhoods. Regeneration of St Mark's Basin will see development including a new care and health educational anchor and the basin area being opened up for communities to enjoy.

The next steps for four projects, which will kickstart the Blueprint's vision in the near future, are also to be considered.

They include the development of the Municipal Quarter area in the north of Stockton Town Centre, repurposing Municipal Buildings to create up to 400 new homes, the redevelopment of Splash Leisure Centre and retaining Stockton Central Library. This would see Municipal Quarter become a residential-led, mixed use development with important services and attractive green spaces.

It also proposes that the Council's Register Office will be relocated into Stockton Town Hall, following the completion of essential conservation and structural works to the Grade II Listed building earlier this year. This would offer a fantastic setting for modern ceremonies overlooking the High Street and the new Waterfront urban park and a more traditional setting option, preserving the grand door, staircase and historic Council Chamber.

The plans are set to create prosperous, vibrant places that are fit for future generations that attract investment, creating opportunities, and improving the lives of communities across Stockton-on-Tees.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "This is an exciting opportunity to look to the future of Central Stockton and North Thornaby, ensuring a bright future for everyone who lives and works here. 

"This is a journey we've been on for some time and our ambitious regeneration programme is a significant opportunity to drive change.

"We want people to find their perfect place to call home and ensure they want to remain here so we're determined to make sure it's a great place to live, work, stay and play.

"Everyone should be able to easily access and move around the area. The Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone in North Thornaby and a revamped Thornaby Station will be connected to our thriving town centre and waterfront site.

"Key town centre projects like relocating the Register Office into the Town Hall would also breathe life back into an empty building, reinstating its original purpose as a key historic community and civic asset. It would once again be at the heart of the community for which it was built to serve.

"Making our vision a reality will be certain to improve perceptions, leading to greater footfall, dwell time and spending power in the town.

The Blueprint's vision has also been cited by industry leaders as a strong example of what the nation's towns and cities should be doing to ensure they benefit local communities and the broader economy.

Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Town and City Management, said: "The Blueprint vision for Central Stockton and North Thornaby is groundbreaking. 

"While many with knowledge of the plight of town centres recognise that retail cannot be the main anchor anymore, it is rare to see a strategy come forward that truly capitalises on the opportunities available.

"Opening up the waterfront, leaning on mixed-use and providing a strong cultural offer are all positive steps forward.

"Maybe the most exciting development is the inclusion of the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone. Not only is health critically important to people post-COVID, but with an ageing population and NHS backlog, it has become an issue of national importance.

"We have always argued that a well-designed town centre can integrate health uses with huge long-term benefits on quality of life for an entire town. 

"This Blueprint could bring these ideas to life in a way which is very exciting."