Ambitious plans underway to create thriving town centres in Ashfield with £50million fund

Exciting plans to spend up to £50million creating thriving town centres in Ashfield were discussed at a meeting this month.
Councillor Matthew Relf and councillor Samantha Deakin in Sutton town centre.Councillor Matthew Relf and councillor Samantha Deakin in Sutton town centre.
Councillor Matthew Relf and councillor Samantha Deakin in Sutton town centre.

The ‘Discover Ashfield’ board met to discuss plans for the Towns Fund submission for Kirkby and Sutton.

As part of the fund, Kirkby and Sutton could receive up to £25million each to fund plans to create revitalised town centres, with a wide range of services and retail offering, a vibrant night-time economy and enhanced leisure facilities.

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At the meeting, which included a wide range of stakeholders including business, education, health, transport, other councils and local elected councillors, the exciting plans for Kirkby and Sutton – to be submitted in January – were discussed.

A range of projects have been developed across the district for new housing, better education and leisure facilities, and to support and grow the area’s visitor economy.

These include redeveloping the derelict plot of land behind Lloyds bank in Fox Street to provide better access between ASDA and Portland Square, additional car parking and a place for popup events.

A major renovation of the theatre at Sutton Community Academy is planned, so that it becomes a new public facing community theatre and cinema.

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A ‘Maker Space’ will offer access to tools and work spaces so that those lacking the space or funds at home will be able to make anything they like.

The board is also working with Inspire, Sutton Community Academy and Vision West Notts on a new joint construction skills centre and a new civil engineering education centre.

At the northern end of Outram Street, funding will purchase vacant shops and develop good quality residential conversions.

In Kirkby town centre pedestrianised area, three vacant units will be converted into a new indoor market.

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On the plaza, a new café and coffee shop will be built and across Ellis Street a new landmark building will provide apartments and space for business and health uses.

At King’s Mill Reservoir, a new leisure offering will enable more people to experience water sports activities and the beauty of the reservoir.

The funds will also help support the exciting plans at the Sherwood Observatory to build a new planetarium.

Councillor Matthew Relf, cabinet member for place, planning and regeneration at Ashfield District Council, said: “The ‘Discover Ashfield’ board has been working closely with the council over the past 12 months to develop a range of projects that will benefit a wide range of Ashfield residents. The proposed projects will have a real impact on developing Kirkby and Sutton town centres into thriving hubs, and improve our already excellent leisure offering.”

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In October Ashfield District Council received confirmation that it has secured £1.5million from the accelerated Towns Fund. The funding is split equally between Kirkby and Sutton and has to be spent by the end of March 2021.

Sutton councillor Samantha Deakin said: “This first stage of funding is a fantastic step forward with our plans for Kirkby and Sutton, which we have been working tirelessly over. This will start to make our plans a reality.”