Plans to revitalise historic buildings in Morley using grants from the Town Deal have moved a step closer after central Government signed off the first project to be submitted by Leeds City Council.
The Heritage Investment Fund – which is a part of a broader £24.3 million grant from the national Towns Fund programme – will see £1.78 million invested in the heritage of Morley via grants to building owners.
Focusing on Queen Street, the grants will improve shop fronts and bring empty properties back into use, helping to increase footfall, support local business, and make Morley an even more attractive location to visitors.
Commenting on the sign-off, Cllr Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate, said: “Receiving sign-off for the first project is an excellent step toward realising the vision of making Morley a better connected, more environmentally friendly, and a greener place to live and work, while at the same time celebrating the town’s heritage and culture.
“Implementation of the Heritage Investment Fund will not only allow the people of Morley to be better connected to the town’s unique history, but it will also ensure the town can fully exploit future opportunities.
“Acceptance of the first project is a great testament to all the hard work done by the people of Morley, the Town Deal Board, and Leeds City Council in putting together a set of such innovative and forward-thinking plans.”
Chairman of the Morley Town Deal Board, Gerald Jennings, said: “Approval of the Heritage Investment Fund project is hopefully the first of many successful project approvals for Morley.
“As a board and as a community, we have worked hard to listen and understand what the people of Morley want and need for the future, so it’s a proud day when we see that work starting to pay off.
“However, the approval of this project is only the start. We need people to continue getting involved, as there is still much work to be done. We are currently consulting on the prospective learning campus for the town and will be holding further consultation events on various aspects of the Town Plan during the year.”
Approval of the first Town Deal project comes after Leeds City Council and the Morley Town Deal Board worked in partnership on a Town Investment Plan, which secured a £24.3 million grant allocation from the Government’s Towns Fund.
The Towns Fund grant will deliver on key priorities identified through public consultation, including greenspaces, jobs, skills, and improving cherished buildings.
