£16m Towns Fund boost for Keighley and Shipley
The Government has confirmed that grants totalling £16.85 million will be provided for a number of exciting development projects in Keighley and Shipley. The multi-million pound projects will provide new improved public spaces along with facilities that will help local people develop skills and training and also support local community wellbeing.
The funding has been provided by Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The projects form part of an integrated plan to attract levelling-up funding across all areas of the Bradford District. Funding that has come to the district so far totals around £60m. This follows Towns Funds for £21m for a Development Investment Fund to bring forward sites for development, alongside a package of community grants for £4.9m.
The Government's Levelling Up Fund is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. Grants are intended to support town centre and high street regeneration, community infrastructure, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.
The latest grants will fund the following projects:
Town centre improvements to Shipley's Market Square and the public spaces around it will receive £5.04 million. This project will also look to make improvements to transport connections around the town centre.
Town centre improvements in Keighley will receive £2.39 million. This funding will be used to better connect the town centre to the surrounding areas and will include infrastructure improvements to streets, squares and parks and will also look to promote walking and cycling.
A skills project will be developed in Keighley will provide space and facilities to develop local employment and entrepreneurship. It will deliver education and skills courses to adult learners of all ages to support transition to employment. The project will be run by Keighley College and will receive £0.91 million in funding.
A manufacturing, engineering future technologies centre will be developed at Keighley College with £3 million of funding. The training centre will specialise in providing local people with manufacturing and engineering skills. This will help address the skills gap for both academic and vocational skills at level 3. The hub will focus on areas of advanced engineering, textile manufacturing, maintenance and the technical support skills around these. It will also provide training in IT networks, cyber security and online marketing.
A health, wellbeing and community campus in Shipley will get funding of £3 million. The campus will provide a range of innovative and integrated community support services. These will be delivered by a skilled workforce and a team of volunteers who are trained in engaging, assessing, motivating and giving people the tools to improve their health and wellbeing. The project will be developed with the Cellar Trust and Hale Project.
A Sustainable Community Hub in Shipley will get funding of £2.51 million. The hub will offer volunteering, social community events, wellbeing and personal development opportunities. The project will be led by The Hive Community Arts initiative.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: "This funding will make a big difference to the lives of local people in Keighley and Shipley. It's been a real partnership effort and I want to thank all the community groups and representatives who have supported these bids to make them happen."
Adam Clerkin, Shipley Towns Fund Chair, said: "This is great news for Shipley as the latest release of funding enables each project to come one step closer to reality."
Ian Hayfield, Keighley Towns Fund Chair, said: "These projects will help achieve real social and economic change for all parts of Keighley's diverse community. "
"Many challenges still lie ahead and there is still plenty of work needed to successfully deliver the community projects but I'm convinced that by adopting a positive and proactive attitude to these challenges, these projects will make a real difference to Keighley.
"When I first took on the position as chair I said that the Towns Fund process would be a long journey for the town and it's people. We've got there - the future is now a touch brighter.
"I must again thank all the residents and businesses of Keighley, project sponsors, my fellow board members and the council for the hard work that has gone in over the last 2 years."