Coalfield Regeneration: may the Task Force be with you

This paper examines the reclamation and re-use of former colliery sites and regeneration of coalfield communities. It concentrates on the East Durham coalfield area and examines the variety of agencies, initiatives and funding packages that are attempting to regenerate land and settlements. In particular it examines the operation of the East Durham Task Force (EDTF) which has been held as an exemplar of community and coalfield (sub-regional) regeneration. The EDTF was created by Durham County Council and has been operating since 1991, before the last few pits in East Durham closed. EDTF has been proactive in attracting funding to East Durham in the form of EZ’s, European, English Partnerships and central government funding. It is a model that the government would like to see adopted in other coalfield areas.