Morley to get £750,000 to help kick-start Covid-19 recovery

Leeds City Council has received the cash as one of 100 places across the country – and 15 in Yorkshire – that have secured between £500,000 and £1million to help them recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

It is hoped the money, which is a share of £80m which the government offered nationwide, will kick-start longer term growth plans by going towards developing new green spaces, pedestrianising streets and creating community hubs.

The funding will be focused across Morley town centre, with improvements planned at Morley Bottoms, on Queen Street and in Scatcherd and Lewisham parks.

It comes as a new board has been formed to spearhead a bid to secure up to £25m further regeneration investment for Morley promised through the Government’s Towns Fund.

A major public consultation programme has been launched this month to secure residents’ views on which projects should be put forward to shape the town’s future.

Anyone wanting to contribute can register their comments at https://morleytownsfundengagementmap.commonplace.is/.

It is anticipated that the final bid will be submitted to the Government in January 2021.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, said: “This is a great opportunity to develop a future vision for Morley and support investment in the town through a local regeneration strategy, which will drive continued economic growth and benefit the whole community.

"The Morley Town Deal Board will be working with local people and businesses to develop a long term strategy for the town and I’d really encourage local residents, businesses and other stakeholders to share their views with us so that this is a genuinely local plan.”

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This £80 million funding will help towns drive economic growth and improve prospects for their communities. This will be vital as the country responds to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“These funds are part of the overall £3.6 billion Towns Fund money allocated – with this initial pot shared out now to get some projects off the ground and give local areas the boost they need.”

*************************

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins