The Board of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has set out plans for five more major investment programmes, including £5m for developments at Lillyhall North, £4.5m for improvements to Whitehaven Town Centre, and £1m for Carlisle Station Gateway and the Citadels.

These programmes are to be funded by the county’s £12.7m Growth Deal 3 allocation from Central Government which was announced in January.

The funding comes on top of the £47.7m already secured in previous Growth Deal rounds.

Jackie Arnold, Vice Chair of the Board at Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, says: “We welcome the chance to apply the Government’s Growth Deal funding allocation to key projects at Lillyhall North, Whitehaven town centre, Carlisle Station Gateway and the Citadels, as well as for our Skills Capital 2 and Growing Our Potential 2 programmes.

They will bring substantial economic benefits to the county.

“While our Growth Deal 3 funding is much lower than we hoped, the money was allocated largely based on population size, and whether the area had agreed a devolution deal with the Government.

Cumbria has a smaller population than any of the other areas in the Northern Powerhouse and has not agreed a devolution deal.

“Cumbria received £25.50 per person, which is higher than areas such as Leeds, Sheffield or York, North Yorkshire and East Riding.

“The Local Enterprise Partnership and its partners worked hard to submit some excellent projects for the county.

The Government’s decision is not a reflection on their quality.

“The projects which the board has selected to move forward will deliver the best possible economic outcomes that we can with the funding we have available.

“The projects are based on key principles: that they are strategic and will maximise the county’s potential for economic growth and they provide a balanced portfolio which can be realistically delivered through public and private partnership engagement.”

The Growth Deal 3 allocations coincide with the launch of a new industrial strategy, with new ‘sector deals’ and investment in research and development to support future industries, as well as plans to drive growth by creating more high skilled, high paid jobs and opportunities.

Mrs Arnold adds: “Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership will continue to strongly make the case to Government for funding for the other major projects that are needed to maximise the county’s economic growth.

“There are still opportunities for the county to access investment for flood resilience, transport improvements, business infrastructure and housing.

This includes three different EU funding programmes and of course the new industrial strategy.

“We welcome the announcement of the industrial strategy.

It increases the focus on economic activity of national significance, and centres of excellence – which are important elements of the Cumbrian economy.

We will look at the industrial strategy carefully to identify opportunities in it for Cumbria to maximise its economic growth.”

The five investment programmes

Lillyhall North

£5,000,000 to develop the employment site, create and safeguard jobs and provide new workspace.

Whitehaven Town Centre

£4,500,000 investment for commercial office development.

Carlisle Station Gateway and the Citadels

£1,000,000 investment for commercial development.

Skills Capital 2

£1,160,000 to deliver Cumbria Skills Implementation Plan projects and support the Area-Based Review process.

Growing Our Potential 2

£1,000,000 for grants to help small business.