believe housing executive becomes chair of pride in place peterlee east

Nik Welsh, Executive Director of Communities and Customer Services at believe housing, has been appointed chair of the Pride in Place Peterlee East board.

Pride in Place will see £20 million invested in the town over the next ten years, supporting the regeneration of high streets and community infrastructure.

Peterlee East is one of three areas in County Durham selected for the programme, alongside Stanley South and Crook North and Tow Law, as part of the government’s Pride in Place initiative investing up to £5 billion in 250 places across the UK.

The programme will be overseen locally by a neighbourhood board, administered by Durham County Council, with community representatives and partners shaping local priorities and investment.

Engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders will be key to developing a long‑term regeneration plan tailored to the area’s needs.

Nik’s involvement reflects believe housing’s role in supporting and enhancing communities for customers and wider society.

As a not‑for‑profit landlord with more than 18,000 social and affordable homes across County Durham and beyond, including in Peterlee, it offers valuable insight from working closely with residents and partners to help deliver healthy homes and places where people can thrive.

Nik said: “Pride in Place is giving us £20 million to invest over the next ten years, and we want to spend it where the community wants it.

“This is a community‑led board, providing community‑led results, with a focus on long‑term engagement and long‑term regeneration, so we can create real pride in the community of Peterlee.”

Nik said she is looking forward to the Pride in Place Peterlee East board taking shape and gathering the views of local people to shape the area’s future.

It is expected that the Pride in Place programme will begin mobilising through 2026, with initial delivery funding anticipated from March 2027.

Durham County Council is currently working with local partners, organising drop-in meetings, and attending schools and community venues/meetings to find out local people’s thoughts on the area’s strengths, opportunities, challenges, and their hopes for its future.

Find out more and have your say by 30 June 2026, or apply to join the Board by 12 April 2026 at Let’s Talk County Durham: Pride in Place Programme consultation.