Funding to plan a new future for Nelson

“We’re delighted that Nelson has been chosen as one of 50 areas in the UK to develop exciting new plans for the future,” said Leader of Pendle Council, Councillor Mohammed Iqbal.

The government announced the successful towns which will get a funding grant to develop a business case at midnight last night.

“We have ambitious plans for Nelson, working with local and regional organisations, retailers and local residents,” said Councillor Iqbal.

“Our aim is to make our vision for Nelson as a town centre fit for purpose in the 21st century a reality,” he explained.

“Its success will play a vital part in supporting the economic growth of Pendle over the next 15-20 years,” he stated.

Pendle Council’s Chief Executive Dean Langton said:

“We will develop a detailed and compelling business case in a bid to get through the next stage and the chance for some substantial government funding.

“Successful towns who get their business plans approved will gain a share from the Future High Streets funding which in total is worth up to £675 million across the UK,” he said.

The plan for Nelson which has government backing to be worked up in detail includes:

• Creating a greater mix of uses in the town centre to give people more reasons to come into town
• Re-creating the traditional high street feel which was lost through major redevelopment in the 1960s
• Applying Healthy New Towns principles to the regeneration of the centre, embedding interventions that improve population health and the economic vitality of the wider area
• Making Nelson a more vibrant destination by increasing the number of people using the town centre during the day and the evening to give it more vitality
• Developing community hubs which encourage interaction
• Looking at bringing a range of health services on the edge of the town into the centre and to form a new health hub.

“This is a real step forward for Nelson and the plans we develop will dovetail with our new Masterplan for Nelson which is getting underway,” said Dean.

“It will link up with initiatives such as the Childhood Obesity Trailblazer funding which was also announced this month which is part of the Healthy Place, Healthy Future initiative to make a real difference to the health of children and young people.

Councillor Iqbal said:

“We are working together to future proof Nelson and to ensure it’s a centre which will support the economic growth and health of the whole of Pendle,” he said.

“I’d like to thank our Economic Development and Housing and Health Teams in planning this bid for funding with the right research to make a strong case for Nelson.

“It’s great that our efforts have paid off and we will be working hard on the next stage of our plans,” he added.