Levelling Up Fund Round 2 (LUF2) is a competitive fund managed by central government to tackle economic differences and drive prosperity as part of the levelling up and building back better agenda. The focus of the fund is to support local priorities concerning transport, town centre and high street regeneration and cultural and heritage assets. Each parliamentary constituency has the potential to secure up to £20million.
The Walsall North LUF2 £20m bid proposals focus on two interlinked projects in Willenhall — works to enable around 111 new homes at Moat Street and Villiers Street and highway improvements to promote active travel. The proposals fit within the overarching vision and objectives set within the Willenhall Framework Plan (Willenhall Framework (walsall.gov.uk)) and will accelerate housing and economic growth opportunities following the investment in the new rail station.
The Walsall South £19m bid will support the delivery of the council’s town centre theatre project. The town centre theatre project provides an exciting opportunity for the Levelling Up fund, with match funding from Town Deal and Walsall Council, to create a new 1,000 seat arts, cultural and entertainment space that will regenerate the heart of the town and be accessible to the whole of the borough.
The investment would also complement the council’s Future High Street Fund project known as the Connected Gateway project, which is a £36m project designed to enhance access and improve connectivity between the town’s bus and rail stations and introduce significant transformation of the high street and public space.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council said:
“Although very different towns, Walsall and Willenhall face many similar challenges and these have become more apparent with people changing how they shop and work as a result of the pandemic.
“These exciting bids give us the opportunity to build on funding already secured and invest for the future.”
An announcement on the outcome of the submissions is due in the autumn.
