Second chance for residents to give their views on new-look Leyland after first event proved 'too popular'

A second public consultation event will take place this week into plans for a £25m revamp of Leyland town centre - after the first one proved so popular that not everybody who turned up could be admitted.
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South Ribble Borough Council held a drop-in session at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in the town last Thursday, at which residents could learn more about the ambitious project and leave their opinions about it. However, more people went along than could be accommodated under Covid-secure rules.

A follow-up event - which will be double the duration of the first - will now be staged at the council’s Civic Centre headquarters on West Paddock on Wednesday (1st December) between 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

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The town's planned transformation is based around the creation of a new market square and the refurbishment of the market inside and out; a radical redesign of Hough Lane by introducing ‘shared space’ similar to that on Preston’s Fishergate; and building a business and skills hub to be known as BASE2.

How Leyland Market could look after its planned revamp (image: South Ribble Borough Council)How Leyland Market could look after its planned revamp (image: South Ribble Borough Council)
How Leyland Market could look after its planned revamp (image: South Ribble Borough Council)
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Full speed ahead for Leyland town centre transformation

Leyland submitted a bid for funding under the government’s Town Deal last year - and learned back in March this year that it had been successful.

While the parameters of the project have been set, the details of the designs are now being consulted upon. As well as a series of in-person events for residents and businesses, there is also a dedicated website at which all of the plans can be viewed and feedback submitted via an online survey.

South Ribble Borough Council leader Paul Foster - who is also vice chair of Leyland Town Deal - said: “We’re absolutely delighted by the unprecedented level of interest that has been shown in this consultation - and that so many local residents are passionate about helping us to shape a bright and exciting vision for Leyland.

Hough Lane could become a "shared space" for vehicles and pedestrians (image:  South Ribble Borough Council)Hough Lane could become a "shared space" for vehicles and pedestrians (image:  South Ribble Borough Council)
Hough Lane could become a "shared space" for vehicles and pedestrians (image: South Ribble Borough Council)
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“We’re extremely grateful to the British Commercial Vehicle Museum for hosting this event and for facilitating so many people to come and see our plans in person. Unfortunately, given the incredible response, it simply wasn’t possible to accommodate everybody who came along on this occasion.

“As a result of the popularity of this initial drop-in session, we will be staging an additional consultation on Wednesday (1st December) at the Civic Centre from 3.30pm-7.30pm, when people will be able to visit at a time that suits them to see our proposals, speak to members of our team and leave their feedback.

“For those who are unable to attend, all the information on show at the initial consultation is also available to view online at www.leylandtowndeal.com, where residents are also able to have their say on the future of our town by completing our online survey,” said Cllr Foster.

Final confirmation of Leyland’s cash injection is dependent on the submission of full business cases for consideration by the government.

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