“Once in a lifetime opportunity for Ashfield,” as Sutton and Kirkby have awarded more than £ 62 million in government funding

The cities have been awarded a staggering £ 62.6 million from the Government Towns Fund – almost double any other 25 areas set to benefit across the country.

Together with funding from the Accelerator Fund and the recently announced Future High Streets Fund, Ashfield District Council has now secured more than £ 70 million.

And along with the co-financing, Ashfield will invest more than £ 100 million over the next five years.

Log In to our daily newsletter

The i-newsletter cut through the noise

Martin Rigley, Chairman of the Discover Ashfield Board, at King’s Mill Reservoir.

Continue reading

Continue reading

Almost 70 new houses are to be on “open space” land on the A38 in Su …

Matthew Relf, ​​Cabinet Secretary for Location, Planning and Regeneration, said, “This is fantastic news for Sutton, Kirkby, all of Ashfield and the wider area.

“I am very proud of the ambitious offer we have put together and this funding, along with the £ 6.27 million secured by Future High Streets for downtown Sutton, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us, a real one and sustainable change in the region. “

In the fall of 2019, Sutton and Kirkby were selected to receive funding from the Towns Fund of up to £ 25 million each.

Cheering Ashfield District Council Leader Jason Zadrozny with Coun Matthew Relf, ​​Cabinet Member for Location, Planning and Regeneration, in Kirkby town center.

Since then, the agency and the Discover Ashfield Board have worked closely with stakeholders including business, education, health, transportation and local elected members to develop the Kirkby and Sutton Town investment plan.

A year ago, the public consultation on the proposed projects received a large number of responses that influenced which projects were taken forward.

The investment will create jobs and training opportunities, long-term economic and productivity growth, new housing, improved transport infrastructure, reduced CO2 emissions and new cultural and visitor facilities.

The investment plan focuses on four areas:

Alderman Jason Zadrozny in Kirkby

At the heart of the plan is an automated sales and manufacturing center to create a national center of excellence focused on promoting and accessing the latest technologies and best practices in automated sales; Two new training centers offer the possibility of qualification in civil and civil engineering. There will be new innovation centers in the Kirkby and Sutton Libraries to support residents with digital skills, help them access digital services, learn new skills and adapt to new ways of working.

A new Kirkby Health Hub and Sports Hubs in Kingsway Park and Sutton Lawn will give residents better access to healthier lifestyles and help improve local health outcomes.

Sutton town center

A new planetarium and science discovery center at the Sherwood Observatory will help inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers across the region; A new recreational facility at King’s Mill Reservoir will offer visitors from across the region a range of new water sport attractions. A network of cycling and hiking trails through the area connects visitor attractions, apartments and workplaces.

The gateway area around Kirkby Station is being developed to provide better access to the station and transfer for buses and the new cycling / walking network to encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport, as well as a program to equip existing buildings with solar and other green energy sources.

Speaking to the news, council chair Jason Zadrozny said, “I’d like to thank the public for standing behind the largest consultation we’ve had since the council was founded in 1974 played a blindfold. Our offer showed visions, it is innovative and I am glad that the government agrees with us.

“Ashfield Chad played an important role in the publication of both the offer and the consultation. You really helped spark the public’s imagination. I want to thank our Chad for his help. You’ve been an integral part of Ashfield life since 1952. That is 69 years of service to the local people – I would say that she has never done such an important service before. “

Ashfield MP Lee Anderson with Secretary of State for Housing, Community and Local Government, Robert Jenrick.

Several projects are currently underway with £ 1.5m funding from the Accelerated Towns Fund, including:

New Kirkby Market Hall – expected to open in late July; Off-road bike path improvements between Sherwood Business Park and Kirkby; New playground in Hornbeam Park, Kirkby; Purchase of vacant properties on Low Street, Sutton; Creation of a center of excellence for disabled people in sports and theater at Portland College.

Avid Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, who campaigned for the money in Parliament, said, “The bids are usually up to £ 25 million each, but we all agreed we should go over the limit, and I have the government Strongly argues that our region is “a special case as no sensible investment has ever been made in the past.

“Fortunately, the government listened to me, which means Ashfield won the largest Towns Fund deal of any region in the UK.”

The £ 6.27m funding from Future High Streets will be used to regenerate areas of Sutton city center including:

Renovating Sutton Community Academy Theater to Create New Cinema, Live Music, and Theater Space; Redevelopment and conversion of empty retail units on Low Street; Developing the abandoned land behind Lloyds Bank on Fox Street for better access between ASDA and Portland Square; A maker space and shared work area that provides access to tools and work areas so those with limited space or money at home will be able to do whatever they want.

Martin Rigley, Chairman of the Discover Ashfield Board, said, “The announcement of the Towns Fund is excellent news for Ashfield. We have exciting plans that will benefit the entire region and help make the district a fantastic place to live, work and study. ”And visit.

“We already have a number of exciting projects going on with the funds from the accelerated program and now look forward to moving forward and starting developing other projects.”

Elsewhere in Nottinghamshire, Stapleford received £ 21.1 million while Long Eaton, just across the Derbyshire border, received £ 24.8 million.

Apart from Ashfield, Bishop Auckland in County Durham was the second largest cash winner with £ 33.2 million.

Message from the editor: Support your Chad by becoming a digital subscriber. You’ll see 70 percent fewer ads in stories, which means faster load times and an overall improved user experience. Click here to subscribe.

Kirkby town centerAlderman Matthew Relf in Sutton