£25m bid to turn Goldthorpe into “aspirational” town is approved
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The cash, from the Government’s Future Towns fund, is a “once in a generation” chance for a large investment in the Dearne Valley.
Goldthorpe has already received £500,000 for “accelerated projects” to improve the area.
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Hide AdThe cash is earmarked for redeveloping a property on the high street, improvements to the former railway cuttings site on Barnsley Road, an “active travel” route at Phoenix Park, Thurnscoe, relocation of the market, and improvements to council housing in the area.
A towns fund board for Goldthorpe was established, and councillors, members of the community and business leaders put their heads together to come up with a an investment plan.
Councillor Chris Lamb told a cabinet meeting on December 2: “The people of Goldthorpe absolutly deserve this, the people of Barnsley deserve this. It’s an absolutely enormous amount of investment in the area.”
A funding bid of more than £25m will be submitted to government next month.
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Hide AdAlthough there are no details yet of what the cash will be spent on, the towns fund board have five priorities to transform Goldthorpe into “a growth catalyst for the Dearne Valley”; growing Goldthorpe, connecting Goldthorpe, developing Goldthorpe and placemaking Goldthorpe.
Councillor Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesperson for place said: “Goldthorpe was one of the towns selected to make a non-competitive bid for funding.
“The vision is to make Goldthorpe a sustainable growth area, restoring, renewing and regenerating, to realise the town’s potential for a magnet location, [and] transitioning the area from coalfield origins to a contemporary, healthier and more aspirational town of choice.”