Penrith set to benefit from Borderlands Place Programme funding
Exciting plans are being tabled for Penrith, as part of a major programme to support the renewal of towns across the Borderlands region.
Plans are being drawn up for Penrith and four other Cumbrian towns as part of the multi-million-pound Borderlands Place Programme.
The other towns in Cumbria selected for Place Plans include Dalton-in-Furness, Egremont, Ulverston and Wigton. The Plans are available to view on Cumbria County Council's website at www.cumbria.gov.uk
Through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, £50m has been committed by UK and Scottish Governments to the Borderlands Place Programme. This will target investment in places that will help boost economic activity across the region and recognises the importance of smaller rural market towns – like Penrith – play in the local economy.
The plans will be developed further over the coming weeks and months, with an intention that funding will be drawn down for a number of projects to renew the towns.
Eden District Council is working closely with a range of local and strategic partners to develop the Penrith Town Plan. The draft document has been pulled together by the Penrith Town Team - which includes Eden District Council, Cumbria County Council and Penrith Town Council - and is being shaped in consultation with residents, businesses and a range of local stakeholders.
The next step will be to develop an investment plan that will be pulled together with local and strategic partners under the umbrella of the Inspiring Eden Delivery Programme; the Council's initiative for economic recovery and prosperity.
Cllr Mary Robinson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy and Enterprise at Eden District Council, said, "There has been significant work over the last year to help shape the vision, priority themes and focus for action - all of which has culminated in the Penrith Place Plan.
"I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank all those who have contributed."
It is hoped that the Penrith Place Plan will play a key role in helping to reimagine and reposition Penrith as a prosperous and thriving place for residents, businesses and visitor alike.
Cllr Robinson continued, "We are already driving forward a number of projects as part of the Inspiring Eden initiative including a business support scheme, initiatives focused on improving movement and parking, exploring uses for empty shops and supporting local young people through the Eden Youth Hub based at the Foyer.
"There are a range of other initiatives that are taking shape, and all of these will be pulled together and driven forward through the Penrith Place Plan process and as part of the Inspiring Eden Delivery Programme over the coming weeks and months."
Looking to the future, Cllr Robinson concluded, "I see the Penrith Place Plan as a critical springboard to secure significant strategic investment from Government to unlock the full potential and ambitions of Penrith and the wider Eden district as detailed in the Council's economic prospectus Inspiring Eden.
"I'm very proud to have been involved with this initiative and have been very impressed with the passion, enthusiasm and ideas that have been generated by residents, communities, businesses and a range of local and strategic partners."
The £452 million Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a regional investment programme jointly supported by the UK and Scottish governments and local partners. The Borderlands Partnership is made up of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council.
The Penrith Place Plan is a strategic priority project within Inspiring Eden, the Council's economic plan to drive economic recovery and prosperity. For more information on Eden District Council's support for businesses and economic development initiatives, visit www.eden.gov.uk