IN the months after the Lafarge closure announcement, the Upper Weardale Task Force identified seven key projects which still form the cornerstone of their multi-million pound development plan to restore prosperity.

With a target of 2020 and beyond, the force has never promised a quick fix, but claims to provide the framework and infrastructure to attract private investors and kick-start new enterprises. This is what has happened so far.

The theme park

Energy Theme Park on Lafarge's redundant Eastgate site.

Funding so far: One NorthEast, Lafarge Cement UK for studies and site clearance.

The most controversial and ambitious project, this is based on the site's unique combination of four renewable energy sources, wind, water, biomass from woodland waste and hot springs tapped from 2,000ft underground.

A visitor attraction, education centre, hotel, holiday homes, business units and a model village would all be powered by the green energy.

Visitors could arrive by train or bus through a transport link envisaged with other centres such as Harperley Prisoner of War Camp.

Up to 100 jobs could be created on the 166 hectare site but it could be another ten or 12 years before it opens.

Many Weardale residents are sceptical but power companies expressed interest at an initial presentation at Auckland Castle.

Ideally, public finance would create a framework with any development backed by private finance.

Test drilling has taken place and a planning brief is being developed. Newcastle company PB Power, which has provided an outline scheme, is investigating the feasibility of the renewable energy element. This should be completed this year.

Latest estimates are that a planning application could be developed over the next 18 months.

One proposal has been to incorporate old cement works buildings, but Eastgate residents want the site cleared as soon as possible.

A heritage railway

Weardale Heritage Railway.

Funding: Heritage Lottery, European Regional Development Fund, One NorthEast Single Programme, Rural Development Programme plus private investment. £2.7m.

A major breakthrough is due on July 17 when the first trains will run between Stanhope and Wolsingham.

Volunteers have been working on restoring engines and rolling stock since the mid-1990s and started clearing the line itself late last year.

A £40,000 Heritage Lottery grant has allowed the summer programme to go ahead, including a Transport Festival.

The railway's projected timetable is for the line between Stanhope and Eastgate to reopen in 2005, the stretch from Wolsingham to Bishop Auckland in 2006 and to connect to the national rail network in 2007, attracting 90,000 visitors a year, worth about £3m to the Weardale economy.

Eventually the railway will link with projects including the new Shildon Railway Village and Darlington Rail Museum to form an unrivalled network of attractions.

Project manager Tony Greenup and outdoor works manager Dave Foxton have been working full-time since last February. Five full time workers and an administrator have also been employed.

Town initiative

Stanhope Market Town Initiative.

Funding: Year Two, £380,000, Countryside Agency, Rural Development Programme, ERDF, One NorthEast Single Programme, WVDC plus private investment.

Not, as many people think, just stalls on the market place but a £1m plan to develop Stanhope as a key service centre for the surrounding area.

New Market Town co-ordinator Tisha Kalman-ovitch has taken over from Ross Cowling, who oversaw a range of initial projects.

They included a study of Stanhope's commercial floorspace, improvements at Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool and Stanhope Showground and setting up a building enhancement scheme which is considering four applications.

A feasibility study of Stanhope Town Hall should lead to better facilities. Stanhope Community Association has already expanded into the old police station building and more developments are planned.

Three initiatives have been approved through a new Small Project Fund while the results of an environmental improvements study are being appraised.

Park plan

Wolsingham Business Park

Funding: Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, £50,000 for site investigation

This development is typical of the approach taken by the task force, which aims to create the infrastructure for jobs to be created.

The vision is for business and office units on 1.8 hectares of reclaimed land next to the Weardale Steel site, Wolsingham. Work on site services should start next year.

Broadband scheme

Development of ICT Broadband.

Funding: One NorthEast, ERDF, £6,000

With expected demand for office space and business units resting with technology companies, high-speed Internet Broadband connections are crucial to attracting new companies to Weardale and enabling individual workers to operate from home.

One NorthEast is funding a pilot satellite link so that companies such as new call centre On-Net-Communications can get under way. This "last mile" connection follows the introduction of broadband to Bishop Auckland and Crook.

A number of satellite broadband connections to businesses are also being explored.

Developer Ian Phillipson is one of the business people who views broadband as crucial to the strategy's success.

He said: "Getting broadband will help tremendously."

Rural bureau

A Rural Bureau.

Funding: Wear Valley District Council and Durham County Council, £5,000

The task force identified a need for a more co-ordinated and proactive business support service for all sectors.

Rural business advisor Austin Stenhouse is working with companies trying to improve, diversify and become more competitive.

A new financial incentives package is in place and a one-stop access point is being considered.

The PoW camp

Harperley Prisoner of War Camp

Funding: private investment

Owners James and Lisa McCleod are turning a former Second World War camp built by Italian and German prisoners into a themed museum, with caf, farm shop, garden centre, and caravan and camp site for 32 caravans and eight tents.

The plans include creating holiday accommodation in 13 of the huts and a bed and breakfast in a mock 1940s house.

Educational projects are also planned on the 17-acre site. Work to transform the camp's 50 huts is under way.

Most are still standing and some internal fittings, including wall paintings done by former inmates are being preserved.

The camp's specially built theatre is likely to be one of the most popular attractions.

The site has been declared a national monument and the venture is backed by English Heritage.

The camp was one of three North-East projects competing for a pot of funding in last year's BBC 2 series Restoration. It went out in the first round, despite the backing of historian Michael Wood.

Special events have already been staged and the caravan and camp site, farm shop and tea room could open this year.