Views wanted on £25m plans for 'new heart' of Leyland

Proposals for a £25m overhaul of Leyland town centre have moved closer - with residents being asked for their views on the plans.
By Catherine Musgrove
Published 17th Sep 2020, 15:45 BST
A map showing how Leyland town centre could changeA map showing how Leyland town centre could change
A map showing how Leyland town centre could change

Leyland was one of 100 towns invited to apply for "once in a lifetime" cash from the Government's £3.6bn Towns Fund, and has come up with a set of ideas on how the money could be spent.

The proposals fall into three main categories:

1) Town centre transformation

An artists impression of how the Base2 building could lookAn artists impression of how the Base2 building could look
An artists impression of how the Base2 building could look

2) The Base2 - a business hub development for workspace, events and skills

3) Market regeneration

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At the heart of the plans are proposals for a new Market Square on the site of the current market car park, where two new buildings would be built. One would be called BASE2 (Business Advisory, Skills and Enterprise Hub), and the other a space for bars and restaurants with apartments above.

There would also be a replacement car park, and the refurbishment and extension of the current market hall.

The centre of Leyland, which could be about to change if £25m funding is securedThe centre of Leyland, which could be about to change if £25m funding is secured
The centre of Leyland, which could be about to change if £25m funding is secured

It is proposed that Hough Lane would be made one-way in a westerly direction, with public realm improvements including shared spaces, outdoor seating, tree planting and improved cycle links from Hough Lane to the railway station gateway.

An online exhibition detailing all the plans can be viewed here.

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A display of the proposals and paper questionnaire will also be open in Leyland Market from Friday, September 18 on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays.

Now the views of residents and businesses are invited by Leyland Town Board, a group of local businesses and stakeholders supported by South Ribble Borough Council to improve Leyland as a place to live, work and enjoy leisure time.

The consultation is open until Sunday, September 27.

Jennifer Gadsdon of Birchall Blackburn Ltd, the Leyland Board Chair said: “The Leyland Board has developed draft investment proposals to address the town’s economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, digital connectivity, skills, enterprise and culture. The Board is seeking views on the draft investment plan and we hope you will take a few minutes to have a look at the plans and let us have your views.”

Councillor Paul Foster, South Ribble Borough Council Leader and The Leyland Board member said: “I encourage everyone to take a look at the Leyland Town Board proposals

and share their views.

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"This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future development of Leyland offering a long-term future for the town centre.

"The development proposals show the Board’s support for local businesses, confidence in Leyland and promote the importance of encouraging people to shop local to support the local economy.”

The responses and ideas from the consultation will help inform the development of the plans which will form the basis of a funding bid to government in October.

>>>Read more about the plans here

Related topics:ProposalsGovernmentTowns Fund

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