Projects to help revitalise two towns in Cumbria have taken a step forward this week.
Planning applications have been submitted for the projects in Cleator Moor and Millom, both part of their Town Deals.
In Cleator Moor, permission is being asked to refurbish and reconfigure the library and old council offices on the Square into a public services and cultural community hub, plus work to improve the surrounding area.
In Millom, an application has been lodged to transform a former bank into a new arts and enterprise centre.
Last year, Cleator Moor secured £40.9 million in funding – with £22.5m coming from the Government’s Towns Fund and £18.4m from match funders.
The new hub aims to offer skills and employment opportunities and community facilities including a cafe for local people and to increase footfall in the town’s centre.
Bob Metcalfe, chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said: “Getting the project to the stage at which it can be submitted to the local planning authority is a big step and represents a huge amount of work.
“This project has the potential to secure a range of long term benefits for the town, its residents and businesses and I’m pleased to see it move forward.
“Members of the public viewed the proposal at the Town Deal drop-in event held earlier this year and it received some very positive feedback.”
The proposed town centre hub would look to provide a range of new facilities including a cafe along with reading space and internet access.
An extension would be built to add a new entrance from Market Street, improving accessibility to both the library and town hall.
Outside, improvements would include new landscaped areas, restoration of the memorial fountain and removal of cast iron railings around Market Place and the Square.
It is one of four projects in the town as part of the deal.
The others are:
- Enterprising Town – The creation of an Enterprise Hub at Leconfield Industrial Estate to provide employment and training opportunities for residents in Cleator Moor as well as helping to diversify the local economy. The wider estate would see existing buildings being refurbished, landscaping and improved biodiversity.
- Healthy Town – This project will create a modern, multi-purpose and inclusive activity centre to help people of all ages and abilities to access sport and exercise to improve their health and wellbeing. People will be encouraged to visit Cleator Moor, boosting the local economy.
- Connected Town – Making better connections between residential areas, commercial zones and the town centre are at the heart of this plan, including ways to make walking and cycling safer and more accessible for everyone.
In Millom, the former bank on St George’s Road would be transformed to offer facilities including a cafe, maker’s market, small retail spaces, workshops and studios.
It is part of the £3m Reactivating Heritage Buildings project brought forward by Millom Town Deal which was awarded £20.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund in November. An additional £8.7 million was secured in match funding.
The Millom Town Deal includes three other projects – The Iron Line, Connected Millom and Haverigg and Activating Community Health.
David Savage, chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “A lot of work behind the scenes has secured this once in a lifetime investment of £29.3m, with a package of projects.
“The arts and enterprise centre is an integral part of the transformation of a forgotten town into something quite extraordinary for Millom and Haverigg.
“This is the first planning application which is ready to be submitted to the local planning authority and represents the next step in the process.
“Each of the Town Deal projects are at various stages of development and must meet appropriate criteria prior to a formal application being submitted to the Planning Authority.
“We will look forward to announcing the other Town Deal planning applications once they are ready for submission.”
The board has also submitted an application for the Iron Line, which includes a new welcome building, walkways and art installations as part of a project to sensitively transform a popular nature reserve.
The Iron Line would see the unique sea wall and coastal lagoon off the coast of Millom sensitively enhanced to form a fully inclusive route across RSPB Hodbarrow.
It is hoped the project will help attract more visitors, enhancing the local economy, alongside increasing levels of health and wellbeing.
Mr Savage, added: “The Iron Line has the potential to be transformative for Millom.
“Particularly important is the increased opportunity for everyone to access a beautiful and inspirational location, something that is so important for levels of health and wellbeing and commits our area to the principle of inclusive access for all.
“There are also the benefits it will bring to the wider economy of the area.
“We will look forward to bringing further updates about the two remaining projects as they become available.”
The planning application for The Iron Line seeks permission to create a new welcome centre at the location with a cafe and bar, retail area and events room created with adjacent car parking, access and landscaping.
Wildlife habitats would also be enhanced and a new multi-use pathway would be installed with signage and street furniture.
And new bird hides and viewing platforms would be installed while the existing bird hide would benefit from a new living roof
The separate planning applications have been lodged with Cumberland Council for consideration.
