More than £30 million is set to be invested into a Merseyside town in what is expected to be an "exciting few years."
Halewood was previously awarded £15.3m in latest round of Levelling Up funding. As part of the proposal, submitted last year to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the district centre will see an expansion to the town as well as major employment boosts.
But the town is expected to get much more investment in the coming years, not including the money spent by developers as part of a new homes masterplan. Knowsley Council said it is set to be an "exciting few years" ahead Halewood, which will see improvements ready for the increase in population.
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The town could see an expanded retail offer as well as £6.7 million on town centre, open space and sports improvements. Around £6 million could also be spent on improvements to the Halewood Leisure Centre as well as £2.6 million for improved walking and cycling links within the town.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: "Only a few weeks ago we were welcoming the news that Halewood had attracted £15.3 million of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. When you look at this in context though and consider the entire investment underway and planned in the town, it will actually exceed £30 million.
"That’s about £1,500 of investment per current Halewood resident. And that’s without considering the tens of millions of pounds spent by developers to build new homes in the area.
"The plans for Halewood are really exciting and I am delighted that Knowsley Council has been able to secure this level of investment at a time when inflation is soaring, and budgets are stretched. It is set to be an exciting few years ahead for Halewood and I cannot wait to bring forward these improvements for the whole community to enjoy."
Work is already underway in Halewood to deliver new primary school placements and highways improvement works. The full investments include:
- New primary school places (Up to £4.6 million investment)
- Improvements to local roads and transport links (up to £4.4 million investment)
- Outdoor sports facilities (up to £1.1 million investment)
- More early years childcare provision (up to £1.1 million investment)
- Improvements to Finch Woods (up to £1 million investment)
- A subsidised bus service through the new housing development site (up to £652,500 investment)
- Improvements to local healthcare facilities (up to £104,000).
- £2.5m has also been secured from the City Region Sustainable Travel Settlement for additional highways improvement works.
A consultation as previously launched asking residents what they would like to see in the town. More than 70% of people who took part in the consultation supported the proposed extension of the retail offer and shared views on green spaces, play areas and easy access to facilities.
The council confirmed residents will be consulted again over the coming months as plans develop and proposals are finalised. The ECHO previously reported on the "vibrant town" that has always come together in celebration. In a town where everyone comes together, it is said to be more than a "mere dormitory town of Liverpool".
What would you like to see in the town? Let us know in the comments.
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