Morley wins full approval for £24.3m Town Fund grant
The funding award comes after Leeds City Council and the Morley Town Deal Board submitted a Town Investment Plan in July.
Morley has won full approval for £24.3m of Towns Fund grant following the submission of outline plans to the Government in July.
The Town Investment Plan featured a range of schemes to deliver on key priorities identified through public consultation.
Plans include new and improved public spaces for the community to enjoy, featuring significant development on the Town Square, Queen Street and local parks and playgrounds.
There will be significant upgrades to travel choices around Morley, with enhanced routes around town and better crossings and junctions to increase safety for pedestrians.
There’s also an exciting plan for a White Rose Innovation Hub which will run alongside a new technology-focused skills campus run by Leeds City College. Both plans will create fantastic skills training and job opportunities for residents and businesses.
Other innovations include enhancing Morley’s heritage buildings, bringing more events and activities to the town, and a new heritage grants scheme that will offer businesses the chance to invest in shop fronts and to restore buildings on Queen Street.
With the funding now confirmed, the exciting plans will now move to the design stage with initial project delivery expected to start in 2023. The delivery work is projected to last until 2026.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to deliver this funding approval for the people of Morley, and I want to congratulate everyone on the hard work that has already gone into the various projects.
“The Town Investment Plan is a real opportunity to build a better future for Morley. Not only will these plans bring essential health, environmental, and transport improvements and secure the town’s heritage, they will deliver excellent education and job opportunities for the future.
“However, the work to bring the Town Investment Plan to reality is far from over. I encourage everyone in Morley to get involved in future consultation to make the Town Deal a plan that rightly represents the views and needs of local people.”
Following the confirmation of funding, the Morley Town Deal Board and it’s partners will hold a public drop-in event at Morley Town Hall for members of the public on Saturday 19 November 2022 between 11am and 1pm. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to find out more about the projects and to ask any questions they may have.
More information about the project can be found here on the Leeds Gov website.
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Feature image – Leeds Government