Leyland granted full £25m from Towns Fund

Leyland has been successful in bidding for the full £25m available from the government's £3.6bn Towns Fund.

Paired with the £13m already contributed directly by South Ribble Borough Council, the borough is now set to benefit from £38m of investment.

The Leyland Town Deal Board, which includes representatives from private sector businesses, education, public, community and voluntary sectors submitted the successful bid in October 2020 and now, with the confirmation of funding, the project can now progress.

The Town Deal will see improvements to the town centre along with a refurbishment of the Leyland Market and the creation of new residential properties and a new business and skills hub.

The plans are designed to boost business and skills and create jobs for local people, both during the construction and within the new commercial facilities to be delivered.

Coun Paul Foster, leader of South Ribble Borough Council said, “We are absolutely delighted that we have been awarded the full £25m for this project. The plans were radical and ambitious and will provide for delivery of desperately needed affordable homes for our local families, new business units and a long overdue refurbishment for the Leyland Market.

"We have worked tirelessly to ensure this investment wasn't lost in the turbulent waters of central government and the role of the council and our team has been pivotal. I'm so proud that we were able to create a really compelling case for Leyland."

Work has already begun with local residents and businesses invited for a Meet the Buyer consultation event to encourage local contractors and other construction-based businesses to get involved in the project.

The planning applications for the scheme designs have been submitted and the next steps will be finalising the design, appointing contractors to deliver the scheme and engaging with those businesses who will be impacted by the works.