Scheme to help towns
A NEW government strategy is planned to help breathe new life into the three Staffordshire Moorlands towns of Leek, Cheadle and Biddulph.
Under the plans, vacant buildings could be transformed through compulsory purchase orders so they can be converted into high quality homes.
Moorlands MP Karen Bradley has welcomed the launch of the Government’s new Build Back Better High Streets Strategy – which sets out how high streets across the district will be transformed into thriving places to live, work and visit after the pandemic.
The regeneration of the British high street was a key part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Levelling Up speech last Thursday.
That speech set out the steps the Government promised to take to deliver on its central mission – to level up and unite every part of the United Kingdom.
Measures in the strategy included extending pavement licences and the outdoor sales of alcohol for 12 months; empowering councils to take over vacant buildings through compulsory purchase orders so they can be converted into homes; and backing more entrepreneurs, start-ups and independent businesses through
new guidance for areas on how they can best support local businesses.
As part of the Government’s drive to improve the look and feel of high streets, the strategy also increases funding for ‘mini-holland’ schemes to encourage cycling, walking and green forms of travel; introduces plans to eradicate the scourge of chewing gum litter blighting our high streets, along with new guidance for councils to manage graffiti; and outlines how millions of trees will be planted on high streets to improve green spaces.
It will also be easier for people to hold street parties and picnics during national celebrations like the Euros and Commonwealth Games, as well as for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, encouraging local events so that communities across the UK can come together and celebrate local culture and pride.
Further details have also been published setting out how community groups in Staffordshire Moorlands can bid for up to £250,000 in matched funding through the Government’s new £150million Community Ownership Fund to take over local pubs, theatres, shops and sports grounds at risk of closure.
In some cases, up to £1million will be made available to establish sports clubs or help to buy sports grounds at risk without community intervention.
MP Karen Bradley said: “I know how much people in the Moorlands treasure their local high streets – and as we emerge from the pandemic, I am determined to support their recovery so they can thrive in the long-term.
“This high street strategy will help to deliver that – supporting hospitality businesses with more freedoms to trade, encouraging local events so that people can come together and enjoy themselves, and giving local people a real stake in their community.”
CommunitiessSecretary Robert Jenrick said: “As we build back better from the pandemic, we have a once in a generation opportunity to transform our high streets into the kind of vibrant places we will want to visit, work and live in for generations to come.
“This strategy sets out a vision for entrepreneurship to thrive, where empty buildings are transformed into quality homes and disused shopping centres become buzzing new hubs for business.”