Coun Miles Parkinson
Hyndburn council leader
WORK in Accrington’s new Town Square, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is progressing well, ready for the square’s official opening in November.
The first phase of work, which is still ongoing, has already transformed the area, creating a beautiful civic space and highlighting the magnificent Town Hall and Market Hall in the heart of the town centre.
There’s a lot more to come yet though, phase two of the scheme will see benches and planters installed along with a lighting system to spotlight the spectacular architecture in the new Town Square.
Before the work is finished, any snagging will be done and the square will be cleaned and spruced up, ready to host a whole range of activities and events breathing new life into the area in the coming months.
We’re also really pleased that the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to increase the grant rate we can offer to property owners wishing to take up the opportunity to make external property renovations in the project area to 90%.
There has already been lots of interest and our Townscape Heritage Officer is talking with the owners of the shops in close proximity to the square who are eligible to apply for a grant.
We hope many will take full advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity and that we will see more improvements take place.
I recognise that Accrington’s indoor and outdoor markets remain very important to the success and vibrancy of our town centre.
A Cabinet Working Group is currently considering options and opportunities for the future with possibly an increasing emphasis on food and drink outlets when vacancies occur.
Our other growth plans are doing well.
In Huncoat plans for a garden village that will become a new place to live or work and include up to 2,000 new homes as well as significant employment space for logistics, manufacturing, commercial premises is progressing well with masterplan work due to complete early in 2019.
The Council has appointed international design and planning consultants, Arcadis Consulting, to support it in preparing a Masterplan and Delivery Strategy for the proposed garden village.
During the summer months with the help of Arcadis, the Council will consult with residents and other key stakeholders to seek their views on the Council’s proposals for the Huncoat area and to help shape future plans.
In the meantime major developers are expressing an interest in being part of the future plans which is very encouraging news.
Meanwhile work at Frontier Park, formerly known as Whitebirk, at Junction 6 of the M65 continues at a pace.
This is the Euro Garages owned site with circa 90 acres of employment land.
Contractors are busy installing major infrastructure linking the development site with Junction 6 as well as construction work on Phase one which includes a twenty four hour petrol station and shop plus services including a major take-away chain and coffee shop.