Heywood is on its way to receiving a multi-million pound boost with proposals for how the £20m Pride in Place funding could be spent now submitted to government by the Heywood Town Board.
Heywood is one of the areas earmarked for cash as part of the government’s Pride in Place scheme, which was previously known as the Long Term Plan for Neighbourhoods, but the money will only be released once the government formally approves the board’s plan.
The plan focusses on themes including developing the local economy, environment and green spaces, celebrating the area’s heritage and identity and making people feel safer in their community.
Proposals include creating more activities and opportunities for young people, further enhancements to the town centre, including possible shop front improvement schemes, and creating more work and training opportunities.
Initial funding has already enabled the Heywood Towns Board to deliver their first major project, the redevelopment of Peine Square, in front of Heywood Civic Centre. The project, which is set to complete imminently, has revamped the square, with the introduction of performance spaces, planters and new seating. The project, which has seen £900,000 invested, will create a leisure area in the heart of Heywood town centre which can also be used to host events.
The Town Board plans were developed with local people and followed a series of public engagement sessions which included residents of all ages and backgrounds.
The board, a local group made up of residents, businesses, representatives from the council and the local MP, will hear whether the plans have been given the green light in March next year.
The money is guaranteed, so if initial plans are not approved, the government will work with the board to make any changes needed. The money will then be paid out over a ten year period, with the area receiving small amounts each year. The whole £20m will have been invested by 2035.
Brian Davies, Chair of the Heywood Town Board, said: “This bid has been developed with the local community, who have taken the time to share with us their thoughts about Heywood, a place they’re clearly passionate about. We’re confident that the government will like our proposals and the investment they have committed to will be transformative for Heywood. It’s a really exciting milestone we’ve reached with the submission of our plan and vision and we’re looking forward to updating the community as soon as we are able to.”
Councillor Angela Brown, Chair of the Heywood Township and member of the Heywood Town Board, said: “There’s a real sense of momentum in Heywood, with regeneration happening all around us. The redeveloped civic centre is nearing completion, as is Peine Square, and major improvements to the roads and pathways in the town centre and are on the way, as part of a Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) project. And this investment programme we’ve submitted to government means that these changes are only the start of the improvements we’ll see in the Heywood area.”
