'Once-in-a-lifetime' regeneration plan to start
Bloomberg/Getty ImagesCouncillors have backed a more ambitious town centre regeneration plan described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity.
A total of £17.5m in funding was secured for Barrow, in Cumbria, by the now defunct Barrow Borough Council in 2021 with work on several schemes under way.
However, a further £200m is now available through a partnership between Westmorland and Furness Council, the government and nuclear submarine builder BAE Systems, which employs more than 14,500 people in the area.
Westmorland and Furness Council agreed to start the process to develop bolder, more ambitious plans on Tuesday.
Projects being paid for with the original pot of funding include asbestos removal in the Market Hall and demolition on Dalton Road, Stephen Street and The Ginnel to make way for a public park and other new features.
'Concept stage'
But the three-pronged partnership, formed last year and known as Team Barrow, says it has access to greater funding which would be spread across 10 years.
The money would be used to build houses, improve transport links and develop education and skills training.
The Team Barrow board has recommended work on the existing schemes is halted to allow for further investigation into what is described as a far greater re-modelling of the town centre than currently envisaged.
Dr Simon Case, chair of Team Barrow, said: "While these are very early stages, with a significant amount of work now required to develop these plans, we are clear in our vision that this must deliver more than simply high street regeneration.
Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, Jonathan Brook, said: "We now have an opportunity to be much more ambitious, driving transformational change and supporting a much wider revitalisation of Barrow and the wider Furness area and making it a place where people choose to live, work, and thrive.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to deliver real and significant improvements for the people of Barrow."
The report said: "It aims to unlock private sector investment and to future-proof the town centre for its population, beyond a traditional physical regeneration scheme.
"This could include a new or improved theatre and events space, further utilising the Town Hall, creating a better food and drink offer alongside leisure and market facilities that boosts current investment in Portland Walk from BAE Systems, as well as new accommodation and community and health facilities.''