Knowsley councillors are celebrating an “exciting time” after being awarded £15.3m for Halewood in the latest round of Levelling Up funding.
While many projects across Merseyside failed to receive funding, including two others in Knowsley focused on Prescot and Huyton, the leader of Knowsley Council Cllr Graham Morgan said he was “pleased” the Halewood bid had been successful.
Cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Tony Brennan also hailed the success of the council’s bid for Halewood, posting on Twitter: “Great news that Halewood has secured £15.3m Levelling Up funding.
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“This will allow us to progress with our exciting plans for the town. An expansion to the retail offer, improvements to greenspace & leisure facilities & better walking & cycling connectivity. Exciting times.”
As part of the proposal, submitted last year to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the district centre will see an expansion, including works to develop the area’s green space and leisure facilities.
Improvements to connectivity for walking and cycling routes through the town and major employment areas are also part of the plans.
Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan: “I’m pleased that we’ve secured £15.3m of Government funding to support our plans for Halewood and ensuring communities get the services and facilities they deserve. It’s an exciting time for Halewood.”
He also spoke of his disappointment at losing out on two other bids, including £20m plans as part of Huyton’s regeneration and £8m for Prescot.
Cllr Morgan said: “Obviously we are incredibly disappointed that our two other bids – which were just as robust and worthy of ‘Levelling Up’ – have been knocked back.
“We haven’t had any feedback from DLUHC but we will be seeking that information in the coming days and weeks.”
He added he is “keen to understand” how a Priority 1 area such as Knowsley could lose out on some of its proposals in this round of bidding.
He said: “We have to remember that this is the fifth time that a bid for Huyton has been rejected for funding by Government so this is particularly disappointing.”
In Halewood, the news was greeted with some bemusement by one independent councillor.
Cllr Joanne Harvey said: “Well it comes to something when the tories agree with us we have no transport.
Labelling the Halewood proposal the “afterthought bid” Cllr Harvey said: “Who would have thought it”, adding “won the one they thought they wouldn’t.”
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