Derelict land brought back as community garden

Regeneration works have transformed derelict land into a community garden.

The land on Festival Walk in Spennymoor, County Durham, was once part of a derelict shop unit but has now been turned into a "welcoming, green space for people to enjoy," Durham County Council said.

It forms part of a 10-year project to regenerate the town centre, partly funded by £20m from the government.

Graham Wood, the council's economic development manager, said he hopes the changes "will help encourage footfall and support businesses."

He said: "As part of ongoing regeneration work within Spennymoor town centre, we have been making improvements to the high street to create a more appealing and welcoming environment for visitors.

"Transforming these empty units into a community garden has brought an empty site back into use."

The council had previously developed two other nearby sites and demolished five other empty units in Cheapside last year to create a walled garden.

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