Schemes set to bring in £30m investment into borough

Three projects set to yield £30m investment in the Merseyside borough of Knowsley have been given the green light.

The schemes have been given the go-ahead to go through to the next stage of the Single Investment Fund.

Liverpool City Region Council agreed to the projects – submitted by the private sector with Knowsley Council’s support.

In total, just above £458m of SIF funding is being invested in the city region over the next five years by the combined authority as part of the City Region’s Devolution Agreement with the Government.

The SIF is the key funding tool for promoting economic growth for the Liverpool City Region, and will support the delivery of the city region’s strategic priorities as well as unlock the economic potential and accelerate growth.

 The three bids submitted by Knowsley Council are:
 ·  The Shakespeare North Playhouse – The £6.46m funding bid is a contribution towards the £26m costs to construct and develop the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot town centre. The Government has already supported the project by providing £5m of funding, with Knowsley Council also itself committing £6m to the project.  

·  Sustainable access to Prescot and Shakespeare North Playhouse – This £6.5m project will include enhancements to the facilities at Prescot train station, including the installation of lifts from the platforms, public realm improvements at the station’s entrance, and remodeling of the car park.  Improvements will also be made to transport links and the public realm between the station and Prescot town centre, focusing on Eccleston Street, Market Place, Sewell Street, Manchester Road, Steley Way and Station Road Boulevard.

·  Housing development at South Whiston and on land south of the M62 – known as Halsnead, this development will be one of only 14 new Garden Villages across the country.  This is an exciting new opportunity for residential and employment development on a significant scale.  As demand for new homes in Knowsley continues to rise, Halsnead will be a key part of Knowsley Council’s ambitious growth plans for the Borough.  As well as the £17.32m SIF funding, the project has also attracted funding from the Government.

Knowsley Council leader, Cllr Andy Moorhead aid “It is fantastic news not only that the quality of our bids been recognised, but also that Knowsley is clearly a great place to live, work, visit and invest.  

“With the support of the Single Investment Fund, we will be able to take forward a number of initiatives to accelerate economic growth in Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region.  I look forward to seeing these projects develop.”