Matt Vickers MP visited the old N-Power site on Trenchard Avenue, Thornaby, on Tuesday 30 May to see the demolition underway.
The empty N-Power building is being demolished to create space for a community swimming pool.
The demolition will remove the old, abandoned building, which blighted Thornaby’s skyline, and replace it with a community hub.
Demolition began on the building two weeks ago, and soon the site will be cleared ready for the next stages of planning.
Speaking after the visit, Matt Vickers said:
“I’m pleased to see the huge progress on the N-Power site over the last few weeks.
“The visible changes seen at the N-Power site are representative of the life-changing impacts the Town Deal funding will have on residents in Thornaby, and the wider community of Stockton South.
“The living conditions of residents will be improved through the new infrastructure, improvements to housing, and education developments we are delivering on.
“The swimming pool alone will encourage active lifestyle changes, bring entertainment for families and new community centric job opportunities.”
Shortly after being elected in 2019, Matt engaged in conversations with the Government to ensure Thornaby was included in the Governments Levelling Up programme and awarded Town Deal funding.
It was due to these conversations, and residents’ input to a survey Matt had distributed, that Thornaby secured £23.9 million Town Deal funding.
Matt then turned to residents’ survey responses and the people’s priorities to decide the use of the money.
Alongside the N-Power building, the money has also been committed to improving the energy efficiency and security of housing in North Thornaby, building a new Skills Hub to train young people to engage in the local skilled jobs market and new cycle lanes.
Demolition of the abandoned Golden Eagle Hotel was also high on the residents priorities, but the council has been slow to act. Speaking on this, Matt added: “They’ve got the money, there are no more excuses. I’ll keep on their backs to get something done about it.”
