Yahoo News Lancashire town to get £6m from the government for regeneration and investment
Blackburn town’s centre’s Innovation Quarter is set for a £6million devolution boost from the government. It is part of the first £20 million in grants to be released by Whitehall in preparation for the setting up of Lancashire’s new Combined County Authority (CCA)
The money, which was agreed as part of the county’s Devolution Deal, signed in November last year will be used to fund a number of projects supporting place-based economic regeneration, innovation-led growth and net zero ambitions. The schemes proposed to receive funding are:
£6 million for an Innovation Hub at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone to stimulate the growth of new hi-tech clusters to maximise the benefits of the £5billion National Cyber Force in Lancashire
£6 million for the Innovation Quarter, Blackburn Town Centre, to provide new business space to support the growth of Lancashire’s digital, creative, and cyber sectors
£2 million for the Silicon Sands Low Carbon Data Centre in the Blackpool Enterprise Zone
£4 million for new offices for the Department for Work and Pensions in Blackpool Town Centre; and
£2 million for Cosy Homes in Lancashire – a £41million energy efficiency home upgrade grant scheme which benefits the whole county
Lancashire County Council’s cabinet on Thursday approved making the authority the accountable body for the grant, and any further funding, prior to the CCA being set up early next year. Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The initially agreed projects will start us on the journey of a new way of working with government for the benefit of the whole of Lancashire once the County Combined Authority is formally established.
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“We are looking forward to seeing a new digital and creative business hub be created as a direct result of the devolution deal funding. The former St John Church in Blackburn town centre will get a new lease of life and the Making Rooms, home of innovative technical developments for all to use, will be extended.
“These are all designed to make sure we are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities ahead and our borough’s entrepreneurial spirit.” LCC leader Cllr Phillippa Williamson said: “This funding is just the first pot of money which will come to Lancashire thanks to the new CCA.
“These schemes are a great illustration of the type of projects we want to support. The Innovation Hub located at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, will be a new, exciting, space that allows Lancashire businesses, residents and key sectors to engage with National Cyber Force.
“This will open up new jobs, technologies and opportunities.” Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool council, said: “The initial release of £20m worth of funding from central Government to be spent within the Lancashire Combined Authority area is fantastic news.”
