A £20 million bid to Government for improvements to five West Leeds parks and a scheme to breathe new life into Armley Town Street are set to be given the green light by senior councillors.
The proposed bid centres around the Leeds West parliamentary constituency and is one of six bids the council’s decision-making executive board are looking to submit to the second round of the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
As previously reported, the Leeds West bid is called ‘Green, Healthy and Connected’. It proposes improvements to Armley, Bramley Falls, Kirkstall Abbey Park, Stanningley and Wortley’s Western Flatts parks, alongside improvements to the walking and cycling routes that connect them.
Leeds City Council has also included a scheme to revitalise the Armley Town Street area as part of the bid to the fund, which is set to be submitted to government in early July.
A report to be considered by councillors says of the Leeds West proposals:
“This investment will lead to greater use and sustainability of local green spaces across a diverse range of communities and users, improve health and wellbeing outcomes through supporting the attractiveness and uptake of active travel options.
“It will improve the attractiveness and access to shopping and services at Town Street, supporting its vitality and viability and providing a basis for longer term partnership and regeneration work in one of the largest ‘town centres’ in the city.”
The Levelling Up Fund is a capital grant and in round one nationally just over a third of submitted bids were successful following assessment by government – including the Pudsey constituency bid for ring road improvements from Dawsons Corner to Horsforth roundabout. But the report stresses that submission of a bid is no guarantee of funding.
The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund invests in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.
The full papers to be considered by councillors next week – and full agenda – can be read here.