The town of Staveley in Derbyshire will receive a £25.2 million allocation through the Towns Fund thanks to its Town Investment Plan, which was developed and submitted by BDP’s urbanism team in December 2020.
The funding, announced in the Chancellor’s budget, sees 45 towns in England each receive part of a £1billion cash injection. The Towns Fund aims to support long-term economic and social regeneration as well as immediate recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. The allocations are designed primarily to support infrastructure, regeneration and development; improving transport links, providing better connectivity and helping to grow skills and culture across the UK.
Michael Rich, Projects Director at Chesterfield Borough Council said: “We would like to pass on our thanks to the BDP team who produced the plan to such a high quality standard – clearly that has been a significant factor in the level of funding awarded.
“Investment plans of this magnitude require patience, diligence and attention to detail and they make such a big difference to the future of the town when they are delivered to high standards and with such responsiveness.”
Francis Glare, head of urbanism and chair of town planning at BDP, added: “We take great pride in knowing that our plans are contributing to the regeneration and cultural growth of the UK’s towns. This funding is a huge step in the right direction and shows what can be achieved with real collaboration between public and private organisations with a focus on meaningful engagement with local communities.”
“As we emerge from a crippling pandemic, we are sure that the plan can bring more investment opportunities to Staveley and that it can also bring hope to people, businesses and local authorities – proving there are brighter times ahead.”
BDP is now working with Chesterfield Borough Council and its partners to develop a masterplan for Staveley town centre, which will feed into the overall business case for the investment plan.
The Towns Fund follows the £675m Future High Streets Fund, which has allocated monies to 72 English towns, so far. Under this funding initiative, four of BDP’s masterplans have firm or in-principle agreements for funding. New Ferry in the Wirral received £3.2 million and Heanor in Derbyshire was given £8.6 million.
Additionally, Farnworth in Bolton was awarded £13.3 million and developer, Capital & Centric has submitted an outline planning application for a £50m regeneration of King Street in Farnworth, with Bolton Council.
Located next to the town’s bus station, the aim of the BDP-designed scheme is to “reboot” the town centre and create a bustling destination for artisan markets, live events, art galleries and food and beverage pop-ups.
Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric, explains: “Its ambitious projects like this that will transform town centres across the UK. This is about rebooting the market town, with bold architecture, awesome homes, and spaces for events and creatives that will draw people in.
“It’ll be a new destination for people to live, work and hang out and will put Farnworth on the map. There is a real buzz and excitement around what we’re looking to do.
Kirklees council and Dewsbury Town Board are also waiting on news from a collaborative bid that could see them receive a further £6.6 million from the Towns Fund for the new Dewsbury Blueprint, where BDP is drawing up plans for the refurbishment of Dewsbury market and arcade.
