Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone

Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Action Zone has been established to revitalise the historic market town and to help regenerate it as a vibrant place for locals, businesses and visitors.

It will build on major investment at Auckland Castle which is transforming the traditional home of the Durham Prince Bishops into an international faith, art and heritage destination.

Bishop Auckland will undergo a 5 year programme that aims to reinvigorate the historic market place and high streets (including Newgate Street and Fore Bondgate) plus other parts of the conservation area, including Auckland Castle and its park.

Working in partnership with Durham County Council, the Brighter Bishop Auckland Regeneration Partnership and local people through an advisory group, we aim to strengthen the town’s economic, social and cultural regeneration through grants, specialist support, community events and other activity.

The Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone will:

* Tackle heritage at risk and look at buildings that have suffered from years of vacancy and retail decline.

* Carry out historic building assessments to help understand and record the condition of key buildings

* Deliver conservation and regeneration projects focusing on urgent repairs.

Other projects are planned to rejuvenate public spaces and help to bring empty floor space back in to use.

The partnership will work together to offer opportunities to develop heritage skills training and Heritage Schools resources, alongside projects involving local people to promote and interpret the area’s rich history and architectural legacy.

Get involved – Durham County Council and Historic England are calling on the public to help them better understand and record the rich history of Bishop Auckland.

If you have stories and photographs of Bishop Auckland that you’d like to share, please email them to bishopaucklandhaz@durham.gov.uk.