SUCCESS in the latest round of Levelling Up Funding will see ambitious plans for the Leconfield Industrial Estate in Cleator Moor come to fruition as part of an initiative that will create more than 700 jobs.

The £20m of government investment was awarded to the council for the Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) Enterprise Campus - phase two of the redevelopment.

Elected Mayor of Copeland, Mike Starkie, said: “This is fantastic news for Cleator Moor and west Cumbria. The level of investment from the government shows just how strong our vision for the Leconfield Industrial Estate is.

“The Enterprise Campus will create a diverse and sustainable local economy, and the benefits of the investment will be felt far beyond the boundary of Cleator Moor.

“Yesterday, phase one of the redevelopment was given outline planning permission. This will see the creation of the hub building, refurbishment of existing units and improvements to infrastructure.

“Now, this £20m investment will enable the council to implement phase two and complete the campus with an extension to the east and redevelopment of the rest of site.

“Following the announcement of £22.5m for Cleator Moor from the Town Deal pot last the investment into the town totals more than £60m - a phenomenal amount of investment.

“A massive thanks from me must go to Pat Graham, our former Chief Executive Officer, who led this vision for the Leconfield site.”

Part of the funding will improve connectivity between the campus and the town centre with landscaped footpaths and cycleways.

The Industrial Solutions Hub will be at the centre of the Enterprise Campus

The iSH programme will create more than 700 jobs and deliver sustainable community regeneration and economic and social resilience, as well as environmental improvements, to transform people’s lives in west Cumbria.

This funding will help give small, medium, and large-sized businesses, start-ups and industry the space to grow, creating jobs and opportunities as well as attracting other organisations to the area.

Through collaboration with industry, businesses, academia, research and development organisations, and local communities, it will create long-term jobs, skills and training opportunities.

iSH Managing Director, John Maddison, said: “This is brilliant news for the region. The funding will enable iSH to bring opportunity and prosperity to the area through industry, business, skills and social programmes. This will make a positive difference to people's lives and regenerate communities across west Cumbria.

“Creating jobs and giving people access to opportunities is one of the clearest ways of helping people across our communities. Everyone benefits from a healthy local and regional economy.

“To achieve that, we will work with existing people and organisations, looking to strengthen what we already have - filling gaps, attracting inward investment and exporting our excellent capability.

“Congratulations to everyone at Copeland Borough Council and all the team who worked on, and supported, the application to achieve this outcome.

“We look forward to working together to maximise the opportunities this funding brings.”

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: “It is truly fantastic news that Copeland will receive £20m directly – and benefit from a large portion of a further £17.8m – in the latest round of Levelling Up funding announced by the Government today.

“Cleator Moor will receive £20m following a successful bid from Copeland Borough Council and the money will go towards the Industrial Solutions Hub and the second phase of the redevelopment of the Leconfield Industrial Estate.

“The £17.8m – successfully achieved by Cumbria County Council - will improve the road between Barrow and Cockermouth, including large sections of Copeland.

“Work includes resurfacing, drainage improvements and bridge maintenance, including the A595 (Calderbridge to the A590) and the A5086 (Cockermouth to Egremont road).

“I was delighted to write letters of support to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to back both bids, and I extend my congratulations to Copeland Borough Council, Elected Mayor of Copeland and Cumbria County Council as project leaders.

“This multi-million-pound investment from the Government in Copeland comes only two months after it committed £43.1m to Cleator Moor and Millom through the Towns Fund (which has triggered a further £27.1m in match-funding), which means Copeland is among the highest recipients of DLUHC funding in the country.”

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