A Merseyside Council has submitted bids for the Government’s Round 2 Levelling Up Fund in the hopes of further improvement in three main areas.
Bids have been submitted by Knowsley Council for regeneration plans in Huyton, strengthening Prescot's heritage and expanding Halewood's retail and leisure offer.
Previous funding bids to transform Huyton were unsuccessful, despite the bid being "strong". With Knowsley classed as a Priority 1 area, meaning it has the greatest need, the council has since confirmed it has strengthened its funding bid and has submitted a Round 2 bid for £43m of investment in the borough.
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Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "We have ambitious plans for our Borough and our schemes are ready to go. Securing Levelling Up funding would enable us to accelerate our plans and ensure our communities get the improved services and facilities they want and deserve.
"We have been allocated as a Priority 1 area by the Government, acknowledging that our Borough needs financial support to level up with other parts of the country. We are continuing to progress and deliver our plans, but the Government’s funding would mean that they can be delivered much quicker.
"We did submit a strong Round 1 bid last year and we are hopeful that our Round 2 bids will attract funding in this latest round." With a deadline for bid submissions as August 2, it is hoped a decision will be made for the Round 2 allocations in October.
Huyton
Work is already being undertaken on a 10-year plan for Huyton Village Centre. The council confirmed that to date, around 14 shop fronts have already benefitted from "contemporary makeovers" which has helped in attracting new businesses.
New businesses have included eight food and drink outlets as well as a menswear store. Two "outdated buildings on prime sites" in the centre have been demolished and are currently primed for development. Lighting projects are also underway at St Michael Church and the Archway Road Bridge.
But the £20m Levelling Up funding would help accelerate the plans which includes the delivery of mixed-used commercial district with opportunities for a hotel, office space, co-working centre and residential accommodation. This will be set around Village Green, connecting improved public spaces, an improved station gateway area and high quality event spaces on Derby Road.
The proposed development could bring up to 1,700 new jobs and a £50m per year spending boost to the local economy and would be supported by public transport access.
Last month, it was r eported that Knowsley Council named a new development partner to bring forward “ambitious” plans that could transform Huyton town centre, this was Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Limited. The demolition of a multi-storey car park is also proposed to pave the way for a mixed use leisure development along the stretch.
Halewood
With over 1,300 new homes currently being built in the East of Halewood, the council's bid for funding would help with "significant improvements". These improvements would include the local district centre, greenspace and leisure facilities, as well as improved walking and cycling connectivity throughout the town and employment areas.
Knowsley council said this would "support the existing and new residents and will provide a retail and leisure offer to meet demand" and would address "significant health inequalities" as well as tackling the climate emergency and employment issues. Earlier this year, Halewood residents expressed their concerns about "over stretched services" that were causing the town to struggle.
Prescot
Prescot is a town that eagerly celebrates its rich history and there are ambitious plans to drive further investment as well as improving the lives of local residents and strengthening the town’s developing position as a key visitor attraction in the Liverpool City Region.
From the town's 'narrowest street' to exciting plans for the Flat Iron Building, there is much to celebrate around Prescot's rich history already. But Knowsley Council and St Helens Councils are currently bidding to transform two significant heritage buildings into thriving and interlinked cultural assets. It is hoped that by doing so, it will boost the cultural regeneration in both town centres.
The Levelling Up Fund bid includes an £8m package of works to restore and reopen the Grade II listed Picture Palace and invest in its surrounding public realm, cementing the town’s cultural reputation following the acclaimed 2022 opening of Shakespeare North Playhouse. St Helens will regenerate the historic and iconic Gamble building as a creative hub to gather, learn and connect.
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