New £20million regeneration deal for Nelson is paused by government

A proposed new ten-year £20million regeneration fund for Nelson has been paused as part of a national review by the new Labour government, Pendle Council has announced.

The Nelson Long Term Town Plan Board was launched between late 2023 and early 2024, towards the end of the previous Conservative government’s time in power along with other long term boards across the country.

Former Tory levelling-up minister Michael Gove MP described long-term town plans as ‘new style politics’. Councils including Pendle were told to launch new boards with a mix of elected councillors and non-elected people to take decisions and draw-up ideas.  The small number of elected councillors on new long term boards raised some concerns, such as with Lib-Dem Coun David Whipp, the deputy leader of Pendle Council.

The old Conservative government set a tight summer 2024 deadline for initial business cases to suggest local projects worth investment.  But after July’s general election, the new Labour government extended the deadline to the autumn. Some work has already been done by board members and outside paid consultants on Nelson ideas and public consultation.

But this week, the newly-formed Nelson Long Term Plan for Towns Board  announced the government’s pause of all long term schemes. The Nelson board is now waiting to hear further from government, Pendle Council said. Board members said they remain fully committed to its aim of bringing more regeneration and development.

Claire Bennett, from the Positive Action in the Community charity is also chairperson of the Nelson Long Term Town Plan Board.  She said: “This is a setback but it doesn’t change our focus or our dedication. The Long Term Town Plan fund is under review nationally. We remain hopeful we will receive some form of long-term investment for Nelson.”

She added “The work already under-way through [the first] Nelson Town Deal is producing real and visible progress in Nelson and we are determined to keep that momentum going.

“We’re actively working on securing alternative resources and exploring innovative solutions that ensure our community thrives if the government decides to move away from Long Term Town funding.

“Public views have helped us to identify key projects that can still proceed, many of which go hand-in-hand with what Pendle Council wants to achieve through Nelson Town Deal.”

The council said a ‘great deal of progress’ is already under-way through the existing £25million Nelson Town Deal projects which link to priorities considered for in the new long term plan. The original town deal was one of 101 nationwide agreed around 2020 with the previous government.

It is focused on big projects including demolishing and redeveloping Pendle Rise shopping centre, other town and traffic improvements and business grants. for new machinery, lowering emissions or energy consumption and  improving commercial or industrial buildings.

Other activity includes developing Nelson’s YES Hub, young people, career and training opportunities, improvements to parks and Pendle Wavelengths leisure centre, arts and culture, and digital skills with Nelson and Colne College.

Claire Bennet added: “These projects remain key priorities, and we will actively seek out opportunities and strategic partnerships to ensure Nelson continues to move forward.”

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Council, added; “Thank you to everyone for your continued support. Feedback is playing a vital role in shaping the future of Nelson. I hope people will stay engaged with the projects that will continue to benefit the town by getting involved in upcoming consultations and initiatives.”

The Nelson Long Term Town Plan Board will continue to build on public feedback from earlier this year. Further updates will come once it hears more from the government.