BUSINESS case summaries in support of unlocking once-in-a-lifetime funding for Millom’s £20.6 million Town Deal have been submitted to Government.

Working alongside Copeland Borough Council, the Millom Town Deal Board secured the funding offer in July 2021 for four projects it identified as local priorities in the Town Investment Plan.

The submission of the summary documents is the final step on the journey towards being able to draw down the promised regeneration money to help the town and its communities thrive now and into the future.

Robert Morris-Eyton, Chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “This is a huge milestone in the process and my thanks go to everyone who has worked so hard to get the Town Deal to this point.

“The opportunity to secure regeneration funding, particularly on this scale, really is very rare and it’s one that Millom mustn’t miss out on.

“Accessing this type of funding is also complex and the criteria is strict, but I’m delighted that we have a set of projects that will help our town and its people in the future so that we have healthy, happy communities and an economy that is strong and resilient following the pandemic.”

With match funding in place, the Town Deal is set to bring an even larger investment into Millom through the Town Deal’s four projects. The projects are: The Iron Line, a proposal to transform the coastal lagoon into an inspiring visitor attraction, and Reactivating Heritage Buildings, a proposal to significantly enhance Millom Town Centre by bringing derelict, vacant and underused heritage buildings back into active use.

There is also Activating Community Health, the creation of a new, multi-purpose leisure hub to provide a range of facilities including a community swimming pool and 3G pitch and Connected Millom and Haverigg, improving Millom’s transport network to create a gateway to the town at the railway station, while transforming cycling and walking infrastructure in both Millom and Haverigg.

It is hoped confirmation of the funding will be received from Government later this year.

Mike Starkie, the Mayor of Copeland, said: “Millom’s Town Deal has reached a significant point in the process of turning an offer of funding from Government into a confirmation.

“We look forward to hearing from Government about the funding as soon as possible so the Town Deal can start to deliver the projects, realising the benefits for everyone.”