Nelson Long Term Town Plan Board stresses commitment to town

The process for submitting funding proposals have been paused for now and the Board is waiting to hear further from Government. 

 

Claire Bennett, CEO of Positive Action in the Community and Chair of Nelson Long Term Town Plan Board, said: “This is a setback, but it doesn’t change our focus or our dedication.

“The Long Term Town Plan fund is under review nationally and we remain hopeful that we will receive some form of long-term investment for Nelson.

“The work already underway through Nelson Town Deal is producing real and visible progress in Nelson and we are determined to keep that momentum going.

“We’re actively working on securing alternative resources and exploring innovative solutions that ensure our community thrives if the Government decides to move away from Long Term Town funding.

“Your views have helped us to identify key projects that can still proceed - many of which go hand in hand with what Pendle Borough Council wants to achieve through Nelson Town Deal.”

A great deal of progress is already underway in Nelson through the Town Deal projects which link to the Nelson Long Term Town Plan priorities.

These include:

Accessible Nelson - making the town more accessible and safer for pedestrians and cyclists, with improved traffic flow for drivers.

Business growth - supporting local businesses to grow with grants to invest in new machinery, initiatives to lower CO2 emissions or energy consumption and building improvements.

YES Hub - continuing our commitment to young people by expanding career and training opportunities through the Youth Employment and Skills (YES) Hub.

Improvements to Nelson Parks and Pendle Wavelengths - enhancing the green spaces that are vital to the wellbeing of our community, and promoting fitness, recreation and engagement in the heart of Nelson through new facilities at Wavelengths Leisure Centre.

This Is Nelson - building on the momentum of our community-driven arts and culture initiative that celebrates the unique identity of Nelson, fostering pride and cohesion within the town.

Advanced Digital Skills – working with Nelson and Colne College which is further developing digital infrastructure and training programmes to equip local residents with the skills needed to thrive in a modern, tech-driven economy.

Regenerating Pendle Rise – demolishing the run-down shopping centre to create a vibrant new retail area that can serve as a cornerstone for the town’s future economic development.

Claire added: “These projects remain key priorities for the town, and we will actively seek out opportunities and strategic partnerships to ensure Nelson continues to move forward.”

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, added; “Thank you to everyone for your continued support – your feedback is playing a vital role in shaping the future of Nelson.

“I hope you will stay engaged with the projects that will continue to benefit the town by getting involved in upcoming consultations and initiatives.”

Nelson Long Term Town Plan Board will continue to build on the feedback received from everyone who took part in the public consultation earlier this year.

Further updates will be issued by the Board when it knows more.