Gareth Lightfoot

Local Democracy Reporter

Gareth Lightfoot grew up in Whitley Bay and has been a journalist for 20 years, as a reporter at the Barnsley Chronicle and 15 years as court reporter for The Gazette and Teesside Live. He worked as a senior lecturer in digital journalism at Teesside University before joining the Echo as a Local Democracy Reporter in 2021.

Gareth Lightfoot grew up in Whitley Bay and has been a journalist for 20 years, as a reporter at the Barnsley Chronicle and 15 years as court reporter for The Gazette and Teesside Live. He worked as a senior lecturer in digital journalism at Teesside University before joining the Echo as a Local Democracy Reporter in 2021.

Latest articles from Gareth Lightfoot

The Normanby Hotel pub

Former 'eyesore' hotel to be turned into flats, restaurant, shops and a pub
Developer Peter Hall applied for planning permission to develop the former Normanby Hotel on Normanby Road, Normanby.

Dorothy Jones, 73, who lives with her husband John Jones, 77, in Roman Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, says the alleyway is repeatedly clogged with piles of rubbish

Resident left 'furious' over fly-tipping happening SIX years after first complaint
Dorothy Jones, 73, who lives with her husband John Jones, 77, in Roman Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, says the alleyway is repeatedly clogged.

The Teesworks industrial site, near Redcar, which was previously home to the SSI steel plant

Teesworks Ltd refused permission to appeal against most of PD Ports court ruling

Teesworks Ltd has been refused permission to appeal against most of a High Court ruling in a legal battle against PD Ports.

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Health advisor Rachel Smith at Practice Plus Group's new NHS 111 centre at Cavendish House, Prince's Wharf, Thornaby

The reality of working in a 111 NHS call centre - from heart attacks to mental health

“You get all sorts,” says health advisor Rachel Smith, one of many recruits to pick up the phone from a new Teesside NHS centre for the vital frontline service.

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Teesside has been branded a “dental desert” by Labour with only one surgery in the area appearing on an NHS website to accept new adult patients

Four locations branded 'dental deserts' with only one surgery accepting new patients

No surgeries in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Darlington or Redcar are showing as accepting new adult NHS patients.

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Tom Walker & Sons at Thorpe Leazes Lane, Thorpe Thewles. Picture: Google

Cheese company plans to expand with new factory
A CHEESE company plans to expand its business with proposals for a new factory expected to bring from 75 to 100 jobs.

Keepmoat Homes, with other developers, has applied for planning permission to build 319 homes in Ingleby Barwick and 257 homes in Stockton

Developer wants to build 600 homes on two North East sites that will bring 1,000 jobs

Keepmoat Homes, with other developers, has applied for planning permission to build 319 homes in Ingleby Barwick and 257 homes in Stockton.

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From further plans for the town centre’s Waterfront project to proposals for a care and health zone and the upcoming extension to Preston Park, 2023 has not been short of major announcements

Take a look how the landscape of this North East town could transform in 2024
The landscape of Stockton has changed significantly in the past year, and is set to transform even further.

Proposals to build 87 homes near a Teesside town, said to bring in almost 270 jobs, have gone into council planners

This is how a 87-home new estate will look if it gets council's seal of approval
Developer Mandale Homes has applied for planning permission to build the homes on land east of Mandale Park, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, near the A67.

Network Rail has applied for approval to build a new footbridge with lifts and staircases at Eaglescliffe Railway Station.

How a North East train station could look after 'long awaited' plans submitted

Network Rail has applied for approval to build a new footbridge with lifts and staircases at Eaglescliffe Railway Station.

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