In the first phase of government approvals, five of the key projects proposed in Todmorden’s Town Investment Plan have received the go ahead for investment from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The news means that the first set of ambitious projects to be announced can move forward to deliver the vision set out by the Todmorden Town Deal Board in the Town Investment Plan, which aims to develop the local economy and realise the potential of Todmorden as a unique and attractive 21st Century market town.
The programme spans opportunities for enterprise development, health and wellbeing, learning, arts and culture and for improving the town’s park and green spaces.
Todmorden’s Town Deal programme brings together a diverse mix of community, private sector and local authority led projects, working in partnership to maximise the value of investment into the town with collaboration and innovation at the heart of the programme.
In an update from Government, the five projects representing a total investment value of £10m to be announced so far are:
Centre Vale Park, Todmorden Town Council, £1.9m Town Deal Funding
Brand new facilities for sports and leisure will be developed and much loved features of the town’s primary green space, including the conservatory and bandstand, will be restored for contemporary use. Todmorden Town Council is working with a range of community groups operating in the park, and also seeking additional match funding to proceed with strands of the project. They are also partnering with Calder Valley Community Land Trust, to improve Fielden Hall which will benefit from energy efficiency improvements and provide some energy efficient affordable rented accommodation in two houses.
The Hippodrome Theatre, Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (TAODS), £1.9m Town Deal Funding
This highly successful community owned theatre will extend into the single storey unit next to the existing theatre to provide improved workshop, performance and rehearsal spaces. This will make the building more accessible, enable the creation of additional opportunities for professional development for volunteers, and increase the number of annual visitors to the town.
Public Places in Todmorden, Calderdale Council, £3.5m Town Deal Funding
This will see the enhancement of shared spaces to prioritise people, and the creation of a more welcoming, attractive, flexible civic space and public square, boosting trade to local retail, markets and businesses, and providing a space capable of hosting Todmorden’s programme of events, festivals and specialist markets.
Tod College, Learning and Community Hub, £1.7m Town Deal Funding
This community owned and run building offering workshop, conference, meeting and learning facilities to the local community, will benefit from significant improvements to its spaces and facilities and see a much needed programme of energy efficiency measures carried out to secure a sustainable future for the building.
Todmorden Town Hall, Calderdale Council, £1m Town Deal Funding
The Grade I listed Todmorden Town Hall will be transformed through a programme of specific alterations to make the building more accessible, flexible, user friendly and sustainable. Taken as a whole the improvements will re-energise local pride in the Hall, ensuring it’s fit for modern day use and securing its future for the next generation.
Pam Warhurst, chair, Todmorden Town Deal Board, said: “It is wonderful news for Todmorden that five key projects have the final go ahead for a remarkable level of investment. After years of consultation, the contributions and ambitions of Todmorden communities are now seeing some results.
“Our programme will help to secure a prosperous local economy for the future and a town centre to be even more proud of. I’d like to thank all of our Town Deal Partners for their incredible hard work and congratulate them on achieving this success.
“We await the outcome of the final three projects that complete the wider programme, and I have every confidence we will hear more good news in due course.”
Cllr Sarah Courtney, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for towns, engagement and public health, said: “It’s fantastic news that five of the eight Todmorden Town Deal business cases have been approved for funding, with the remaining three currently being reviewed by the Government.
“This is a proud step forward for Todmorden’s regeneration. We can now get to work on making the aspirations a reality, thanks to the sheer determination and passion of everyone involved across the community.
“The exciting plans, which are based on Todmorden’s existing charm, distinctiveness and success, go hand in hand with our priority to develop strong and thriving towns.”
The funding announcement follows three years of planning and development by Todmorden Town Deal Board, made up of private, community and local authority partners. The approved projects will now move forward to undertake further detailed planning, including public consultation, environmental and planning permission processes as required. Completion of the Town Deal programme is expected by the end of 2025.
The government is currently reviewing the three further Todmorden Town Deal projects: The Enterprise Centre, Riverside Centre and Active Todmorden.
