Cleator Moor will get £40.9 million for four ambitious projects to help regenerate the town.
The Government has confirmed an award of £22.5m and an additional £18.4m has been secured from match funders.
The huge financial boost follows the submission of four exciting projects to the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing in July.
It means the projects – that aim to provide long-term benefits to the town’s health and wealth, while boosting employment opportunities and inward investment – can now be delivered.
Bob Metcalfe, chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said: “The future for Cleator Moor is very bright. The funding we have secured will allow our four projects – which will touch on every aspect of life in the town – to move forward.
“This is a watershed moment for the town, made possible by the hard work, commitment and expertise of many people, whom I would like to thank for their input, passion and professionalism.
“Health, wellbeing, inward investment, jobs, skills, connectivity and much more will be positively impacted as work begins on these projects. It’s a great time to be a resident of Cleator Moor.”
Copeland Borough Council’s executive committee, has also welcomed the news.
Mike Starkie, Copeland mayor, said: “This is a fantastic result for Cleator Moor and its residents. Opportunities to access funding on this scale rarely present themselves for towns of this size.
“To have successfully secured the money required to deliver four exciting and transformational projects is incredible, and a testament to the hard work put in by so many over the last year.
“I would also like to place on record my sincere thanks to the match funders. Together they have contributed a significant sum of money that will make a real and tangible difference to Cleator Moor.”
Working with Copeland Borough Council, the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board secured a provisional offer of £22.5 million from the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund initiative last summer.
Business cases, which confirm the positive impact and long-lasting benefits the projects will deliver, were approved by the government after being signed off by the Town Deal Board and Copeland Borough Council.
The promised government money will now be unlocked over the next four years.
Significant match funding sums have also been pledged by the NDA, Sellafield, and the Copeland Community Fund.
Further contributions have been made by Copeland Borough Council, Cleator Moor Town Council and Regen North East Copeland.
The four projects included in the Town Deal are:
- Enterprising Town – the redevelopment of the existing Leconfield Industrial Estate to provide employment and training opportunities for residents in Cleator Moor as well as helping to diversify the local economy. The proposal will create new buildings on site including an Enterprise Campus Hub, the refurbishment of existing units and extensive landscaping. The development of the site forms part of the wider regeneration programme being delivered across West Cumbria by iSH, the Industrial Solutions Hub.
- Revitalised Town – to increase activity and footfall around the Town Square by bringing vacant and under-utilised buildings back into active use while creating an attractive new public realm. Uses will include a new cultural community hub and enhanced business space.
- Healthy Town – To enhance existing sports and leisure provision to create a modern multi-purpose centre including an indoor sports hall, flexible studio space, gym and café, alongside wider health and well-being provision. This will improve population health and generate more reasons for people to visit and spend time in Cleator Moor.
- Connected Town – this scheme will deliver a high-quality integrated and sustainable transport network which improves connections between employment, education, amenities and leisure and transforms the accessibility and attractiveness of Cleator Moor.
Millom was awarded £29.3 million in the Town Deal.
Trudy Harrison, Copeland MP, said: “It is truly fantastic news that both Cleator Moor and Millom have had their Town Deal funding confirmed, which will bring a staggering £70.2m into our communities.
“The announcement today from the Department of Levelling Up, Communities and Housing of £22.5m and £20.6m for Cleator Moor and Millom respectively – in addition to the £27.1m match-funding pledged – will be transformational for Copeland.
“Eight exciting projects across both towns will now become a reality, bringing about significant benefits in employment, regeneration, highways, leisure and tourism – both now and for generations to come.
“This is Levelling Up in action, and I would like to pay tribute to both town boards and their chairs, Copeland Borough Council and all those who have played a part in getting us to this milestone day.”
