Heywood is one of a number of places across the country that had been earmarked for Pride in Place funding, which seeks to support regeneration in different areas.
The Heywood Town Board, a group made up of local community members, businesses and council representatives, as well as local MP, Elsie Blundell, has been tasked with overseeing the Pride in Place project at a local level.
The board recently submitted proposals to government for how the £20 million could be spent, and their plans have now been given the go ahead.
The money was guaranteed, but the government has to agree on how it can be spent before anything can be progressed, so the plan’s approval is a major step forward for the town.
Ideas which will now be developed in more detail include a grant scheme to support community projects in Heywood, further improvements to the town centre including possible shop front improvement projects, more events, particularly those focussed on arts and culture, and more facilities for young people.
Themes the ideas are based on, which were highlighted during consultations with residents and businesses, include developing the local economy, boosting the environment and green spaces, celebrating the area’s heritage and identity and making people feel safer in their community.
Brian Davies, chair of the Heywood Town Board, said:
“We’ve worked hard to create this wonderful plan using the feedback from our local community, who have been involved from the beginning and demonstrated the kind of passion and pride which makes Heywood such a fantastic place.
“Getting this stamp of approval from government is great news and means we can now move things forward. We will be undertaking more consultation in the coming months to further develop these plans and we would love people to find out more and get involved, so we can start making these ideas a reality.”
Initial pride in place funding has already helped the council and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) redevelop Peine Square outside the newly-refurbished Heywood Civic, with the addition of planters, benches, performance spaces and interpretation creating a key leisure area and events space in the heart of the town centre.
Councillor Angela Brown, chair of the council’s Heywood township committee and member of the Heywood Town Board, said:
“I’m pleased that the government is impressed with our plans and has given us the seal of approval.The proposals cover a broad range of things which are important to Heywood people, including having a strong heritage and cultural offer, thriving local businesses and community groups, alongside support for our young people. I would like as many people as possible to find out more about these proposals and get involved, as there are so many fantastic things in the pipeline for this area.”
Heywood and Middleton MP, Elsie Blundell, said:
“Pride in Place will be transformational for Heywood, led by residents and their hopes and wishes for the town. It’s a long-term commitment from this government to provide money which residents will control. We’ve already seen the refurbishment of Peine Square to give Heywood more open and outdoor cultural space.
“The projects that will now come forward have been led by residents in Heywood and backed by government. It’s a real opportunity for the town and I’m very excited about Heywood’s future.”
Further conversation with residents and businesses will take place in the coming months to hone the ideas and plans, with a targeted community engagement exercise with young people and hard to reach groups set to be completed before the end of October. The funding will be delivered in stages over the next 10 years.
