The final step to help unlock £20.6 million to transform Millom has been taken.
Business case summaries in support of the once-in-a-lifetime funding for the Town Deal have been submitted to Government.
Working alongside Copeland Borough Council, the Millom Town Deal Board secured the funding offer in July last year for four projects.
The submission of the summary documents is the final step on the journey towards being able to draw down the promised cash to help the town and its communities thrive now and into the future.
Robert Morris-Eyton, chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “This is a huge milestone in the process and my thanks go to everyone who has worked so hard to get the Town Deal to this point.
“The opportunity to secure regeneration funding, particularly on this scale, really is very rare and it’s one that Millom mustn’t miss out on.
“Accessing this type of funding is also complex and the criteria is strict, but I’m delighted that we have a set of projects that will help our town and its people in the future so that we have healthy, happy communities and an economy that is strong and resilient following the pandemic.”
With match funding in place, the Town Deal is set to bring an even larger investment into Millom through the Town Deal’s four projects. The projects are:
- The Iron Line – A proposal to transform the unique coastal lagoon into an inspiring visitor attraction which fuses ecology, heritage and art within an inclusive recreational space around the sea wall.
- Reactivating Heritage Buildings – A proposal to significantly enhance Millom Town Centre by bringing derelict, vacant and underused heritage buildings back into active use to increase vitality and footfall.
- Activating Community Health – The creation of a new, multi-purpose leisure hub to provide a range of facilities including a community swimming pool and 3G pitch.
- Connected Millom and Haverigg – Improving Millom’s transport network to create a gateway to the town at the railway station, while transforming cycling and walking infrastructure in both Millom and Haverigg.
The business cases were approved by members of the Millom Town Deal board, made up of individuals, organisations, businesses and groups operating within or representing the town, in July.
Copeland Borough Council’s Executive Committee has also given the final submission its seal of approval.
It is hoped confirmation of the funding will be received from Government later this year.
Mike Starkie, Copeland mayor, said: “Millom’s Town Deal has reached a significant point in the process of turning an offer of funding from Government into a confirmation.
“We look forward to hearing from Government about the funding as soon as possible so the Town Deal can start to deliver the projects, realising the benefits for everyone.”
