A former coal mining village set against the Heritage Coast has suffered a major blow after failing to get £20 million in investment. Situated on the North Sea Coast, Horden, in County Durham, is a small village with a population of around just 8,000.

According to the Office for National Statistics, based on the 2021 Census, a whopping 34.6 per cent of households in the area are deprived ‘in one dimension’, while 27.1 per cent are deprived in two dimensions, 9.8 per cent in three, and 0.3 per cent in four. The government’s classification of ‘dimensions’ are:

Horden has often been described as one of the ‘deprived parts’ of the UK, with much of the attention focusing on the slew of empty housing on ‘Numbered Avenue’: a series of streets filled with empty terraces. Some have the windows boarded up, others still have post hanging outside the letterbox. Many of these are currently listed on RightMove, with guide prices as shockingly low as £9,000.

“No tourist would want to come to this village as there have been numerous cases of stabbings and shooting,” one anonymous local is cited in the Express. According to police data, 1,246 crimes were officially reported in Peterlee (Horden) last year – with the most common being violence and sexual offences, followed by shoplifting, then criminal damage and arson. This can be rated as six out of 10 or ‘medium crime level’ compared to other wards in England and Wales, states Crystal Roof.

Frank Leadbitter, the chairman of the parish council, blamed the area’s alleged demise on the closure of the mines in the 50s and 60s. “The Numbered Avenues should be demolished and a school should be built instead. We came up with a plan that 74 per cent of people in town agreed with,” he told The Northern Echo. “We need some funding and we could really improve this town. The people are fantastic and they deserve it.”

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Amy Harhoff, Durham County Council’s corporate director for regeneration, economy and growth said she recognised the challenges facing Horden and that work is being done to support the area. “Our bid for Levelling Up funding for the Easington constituency would have meant £20m being invested in Horden, including new housing and education facilities but regrettably this was not successful,” she added.

“We are nevertheless committed to investing £6 million of council resources in Horden and will be working closely with the community on delivery of this over the coming months. We will also continue to explore other opportunities for funding including those presented by devolution.”

Despite the negative coverage, Horden is still advertised online as a pleasant place to visit. “Horden’s park is one of the best kept secrets of the town, beautifully maintained it has interesting facts about mining history, good play facilities and don’t forget to look for the chrysanthemum sculpture in the heart of the park,” states Durham Heritage Coast. “Also in the park is the Horden Heritage Centre Team Rooms and café, where you can stop for a meal or refreshments, the Heritage Centre is above the cafe, ran by volunteers, who will happily chat about the contents of the Centre’s themed rooms from a bygone era or show you some interesting Horden photos from times gone by.”

The Mirror has contacted Horden Parish Council for comment.

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