Council to consider Government’s Levelling Up Fund round 2 bids for Northwich and Ellesmere Port

Cheshire West and Chester Council is delivering a wide range of regeneration projects across the borough; to transform Winsford town centre, Weaver Square in Northwich, Chester’s Northgate, Chester’s Rows, and the area around Chester railway station.

Further work is taking place in Northwich to address challenges along the Winnington Lane corridor. The plans include a new road bridge across the River Weaver and converting the existing Listed Bridge for use by cyclists and pedestrians. Improving the links to the town centre, station and bus interchange through a number of road and junction improvements will provide better access for cyclists and walkers to use the Winnington corridor and reduce car traffic. 

In Ellesmere Port there are plans for the town centre including new low carbon homes, bringing new footfall and spend into the high street, public realm and green landscaping as well as enhancements to the market hall including creating new opportunities for local people to start up trading.  

The plans include climate change elements, investing in solar energy capture to help future proof against escalating energy costs. These plans will build on Ellesmere Port’s growing reputation as England’s leader in delivering the Net-Zero agenda. 

The Council’s Cabinet on 8 June will consider submitting two applications under the Government’s Levelling Up Fund round 2 for the Northwich and Ellesmere Port projects.

Successful bids for Ellesmere Port town centre and Winnington Corridor will facilitate delivery of two of the Council’s key regeneration projects, improving sustainable access and connectivity, unlocking new homes, jobs, supporting town centres and private sector investment, whilst helping to tackle the climate emergency and moving to a net zero Borough. 

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration said: “As a category two area, we have been given a strong steer by government advisers to prioritise projects and limit our submissions. We have listened to this advice to give us the best chance of securing funding for our borough. 

“The Council has invested in developing two ambitious proposals for this round of funding, including the Winnington Corridor in Northwich and Ellesmere Port Town Centre. We have our match funding ready, and we eagerly await feedback from government on whether they will support the levelling up plans for our area.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council is committed to supporting regeneration and levelling up across the whole of Cheshire West. 

Over the last few years, much needed rural business support has been delivering, and more than £15 million secured from the Future High Street Fund to support the transformation of Winsford. 

In Chester there is a £4m investment as part of the Chester Rows Heritage Action Zone, with support from Historic England, and the Chester Northgate re-development opens in the autumn. 

The Levelling up fund will be highly competitive, with the Government expected to receive hundreds of applications from across the UK. The deadline for submissions is 6 July 2022 with the outcome expected before the end of the year.  

As in Round 1, the Government has designated Local Authorities into three priority areas for levelling up purposes. Cheshire West and Chester remains a priority two area.  

As an indication of the competitiveness of the fund, in LUF round 1, of the 305 applications nationally, 35 per cent were approved in total, of which 75 per cent were in priority one areas.