Yarm Town Hall refurbishment another step closer as planning application submitted

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has worked in partnership with Yarm Town Council to develop proposals for the refurbishment of the Grade II listed landmark.

The Town Hall, located on Yarm High Street and subject to planning approval, will have a full external restoration to include the opening-up and reinstatement of its original brick arches with new glazing.

Proposals also include internal improvements and conversion of the building to provide an open ground floor space for a Heritage Centre.

The first floor of the Town Hall will remain as a meeting space and a new Heritage learning area will also be developed.

The planning application was submitted on Thursday (19 JAN) with works to be funded as part of the Councils successful application for £20million from the Government's Levelling Up Fund, alongside contributions from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Town Centres Investment Programme and Yarm Town Council.

A separate bid is also being prepared to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in order to develop a full heritage-based activity programme at the Heritage Centre.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "Many people are keen to know more about progress on the improvements that are to be made to one of Yarm's greatest assets and I am so pleased that detailed plans are able to be submitted for the Town Hall's refurbishment.

"Subject to approval, this is a huge step in the continuation of changes we've been making in recent years to make our town centres accessible for future generations.

"We have well-developed plans for our six town centres and longstanding ambitions to enrich visitor experiences in Yarm and Levelling Up Funding has provided the ideal opportunity to align this.

"Yarm is an attractive and diverse location for residents and visitors and the refurbishment of Yarm Town Hall will help to secure its long-term future by attracting new visitors to the area."

Allan Gallafant, Chair of Yarm Town Council, said: "The restoration of Yarm Town Hall has been in the pipeline for a number of years.

"Bringing back the use of one of Yarm's most important buildings will allow it to be used for various purposes and it will also allow its original construction to be appreciated by both residents and visitors alike."

Yarm Town Hall's redevelopment is part of the Levelling Up Fund allocation for Stockton South, which also includes enhancements to existing pavement and seating areas to support outdoor seating and dining opportunities in Yarm as well as the reprovision of new toilet facilities also being included in these plans.

Levelling Up proposals also include plans to develop Preston Park, the Tees Valley's leading tourist attraction, by extending the museum into an exhibition centre and gallery space, with additional access and infrastructure improvements.

Connectivity between Preston Hall, Yarm High Street and other key employment sites would also be enhanced by improved cycle links across the Yarm and Eaglescliffe areas.

Subject to planning approval, work is due to begin on the Town Hall's restoration in Summer 2022, with the aim of being completed by the end of the year.