Natural England

The West Durham Rural Pathfinder covers the whole of the Teesdale and Wear Valley districts and was funded by Defra until October 2007 when the national rural delivery pathfinder programme completed.

The West Durham Rural Pathfinder focus is on improving quality of life for people in West Durham by:

• Supporting vibrant and sustainable communities
• Giving our communities a stronger ‘voice’
• Understanding and responding to needs

It examined:

• ways in which services could be delivered more simply;
• how funding and reporting can be simplified;
• how local communities can be given more say over policy and spending.

Priority themes covered:

• Building Community Capability and Strengthening Social Enterprise
• Skills and Enterprise for Sustainable Tourism
• Health and Quality of Life of Young People
• Development of the Knowledge Economy Locally

Case studies

The learning of the West Durham rural Pathfinder has now been condensed in a series of case studies:

Environmental Business Support

Growing your business by going green
Concerns over the impact of climate change are growing. Raising awareness of this issue among the region’s businesses, and introducing them to measures which can assist them in reducing their carbon footprint are high on the agenda.

Environmental Business Suport Case Study [990 kB]

A report on the project that The Enterprise Agency for Wear Valley and Teesdale undertook with local businesses is available to download here [136 kB]

Sustainable Tourism

Cooperation wins benefits for all
Tourism is a key sector in the West Durham economy. Its attraction for visitors comes not from one individual asset, but rather from a combination of various factors. This includes its unique landscape, archaeology, history, geology, ecology and culture.

Sustainable Tourism Case Study [518 kB]

Boosting the Knowledge Economy

Moving with the times
Both Teesdale and Wear Valley suffer from a shortage of businesses operating in the knowledge-intensive and growth sectors. A lack of broadband facilities has recently been identified as one of the main factors preventing the development of the knowledge economy in West Durham.

Boosting the Knowledge Economy Case Study [433 kB]

Seeking solutions for transport in rural areas

Finding solutions to transport problems in Weardale and Teesdale
For many living in isolated rural communities, public and community transport provides an essential lifeline. This is especially so for those on low incomes or for those too young or too old to drive or the infirm. A joined up approach to the delivery of transport provision must be high on the agenda for all those seeking to promote health, well being and economic growth in rural areas.

Seeking solutions for transport in rural areas Case Study [109 kB]

Action Learning

Learning to listen - listening to learn
Action Learning was employed as an educational tool to promote the sharing of experiences, skills and information amongst the group of case study leaders. It was designed to improve communications and to encourage mutual learning amongst those tasked with delivery of the four projects, including representatives from relevant Local Strategic Partnerships, AONB bodies, rural councils, community support organisations and other leading stakeholder organisations.

Action Learning Case Study [144 kB]

Strengthening Community Engagement

Get involved and make yourself heard
Community engagement is the heart and soul of the West Durham Rural Pathfinder initiative. Here, those tasked with delivery of aspects of the four case studies located in the Teesdale and Wear Valley districts highlight the role played by community engagement in helping to achieve their objectives. The four individual examples are:

• Asset mapping
• South West Durham Heritage Corridor
• Parish Planning and Community Engagement
• Consultation on Community Strategy in Teesdale

Community Engagement Case Study [165 kB]

For further information please contact: Ingo Schüder on 0191 229 3386 or email Ingo.Schuder@naturalengland.org.uk