A bid has been submitted to improve Leyland as a place to live, work and enjoy leisure time.
The landmark bid was submitted on Friday, 30 October to the government’s £3.6 billion Town Fund.
If successful, the town will receive up to £25million to invest in current and new buildings to create a ‘new heart’ for Leyland.
The bid was issued by the Leyland Town Board, made up of local businesses and stakeholders and is supported by South Ribble Borough Council.
The vision for Leyland is a digitally connected, carbon neutral town where local enterprises thrives, skilled residents have good jobs, and communities feel connected to a newly revitalised town centre that has a distinct, retail, hospitality, leisure and cultural offer.
The proposals put forward in the bid are around three key project areas:
The proposals cover the area of Hough Lane, Church Brow and Stanifield Lane and include the creation of a new Market Square.
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A consultation on the proposals took place in September where views were invited from residents and businesses. Over 2,000 people responded to the consultation with an overwhelming positive feedback for the plans.
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Councillor Paul Foster, Leader of South Ribble Borough Council said: “The town has had refurbishment and improvements on the cards for years and I’m so pleased that now we are seeing our ambitions come to life.
“We were already working on a new Leyland Masterplan and this fed in really well to the bid, and this will sit wonderfully with a number of other initiatives.
“I want to thank our local businesses for their continued support and all of those who contributed to the recent consultation on proposals.
“The input of local residents and business on the future of the town centre is vital and I hope, providing the bid is successful, that the improvements will encourage even more residents to the centre to shop local and for more businesses to set up shop in Leyland.”
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Leyland was invited to bid as part of the town fund along with 100 other towns across the country.
The outcome of the bid is set to be revealed early next year.
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