Latest news with #HelenChaffey
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Work begins on Earnse Bay visitor hub next to 'nature-rich' coast
Work has started on a new community hub which aims to link people with Earnse Hub, in Walney, Cumbria, will allow people to enjoy Earnse Bay, which Westmorland and Furness Council described as one of the most "nature-rich and beautiful coastal locations in the country".Groundworks and landscaping has now begun on the site ahead of its expected opening in early Helen Chaffey said the hub would be a "valuable resource" for residents as well as a "destination for visitors from which they can explore the unique natural beauty of Walney and Furness as a whole". "The Earnse Hub will be accessible to a range of groups and organisations such as local schools, community groups, voluntary and community sector parties, alongside the wider community and beyond," she said."I'm really looking forward to seeing the project take shape and becoming something the community can be proud of." New facilities The existing site is currently made up of grassland, scrub and a redundant changing room the work it will contain a community cafe, a local shop, flexible spaces and toilet facilities. There will also be a support building, which will serve the nearby camping of the open space will remain wild, with the central meadow retained for family activities. Grasses, herbs and mowing-tolerant wildflowers will be introduced while mown grass paths will crisscross the meadow.A beach school will be built during the second phase of the development, which will be led by Natural England and funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. The development of the hub is being funded by £2.64m from the Brilliant Barrow Town forms part of the Brilliant Barrow initiative – a series of innovative projects funded by £25m from the government's Towns Fund. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Barrow's skyline set to change as project develops
The skyline of a town could be transformed as several council-led projects and Furness Council has awarded a £1.1m contract to carry out work at Barrow Town the Liberal Democrat-led authority is also inviting companies to tender for the potential demolition of the town's market hall and the Forum - an arts and entertainment Helen Chaffey, who is responsible for communities and culture, said while no decision to knock down the buildings had been made, the authority wanted to be in a position to move quickly if such a move was agreed. Work to the Grade II listed town hall, which was awarded to Top Notch Contractors Ltd among five firms to submitted a bid, is expected to start soon and finish by would see the reception and waiting areas refurbished, as well as staff offices and toilets. 'Project to define Barrow' In June, Westmorland and Furness council voted to reconsider plans to redevelop the town centre, as part of the Heart of Barrow worth £17.5m had been secured to redevelop the town, but further cash was made available through a partnership between the council, the government and nuclear submarine builder BAE Systems, which employs about 14,500 people in the partnership decided to pause work currently under way to reconsider plans in light of the extra funding, to potentially extend projects in what it called a "once in a lifetime" included refurbishment and asbestos removal from the market hall and the Democrat councillor Chaffey said the Heart of Barrow would "define" the town "for generations to come"."We need to get this right and it's therefore important that we get all the information we need so we have a full range of options to consider," she added the council would be talking to residents and businesses to deliver projects that people said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the town centre and deliver lasting improvements in retail, leisure, housing, health and education." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First phase of market revamp complete
Initial works ahead of a multimillion-pound transformation of a historic market have been completed. Kendal Market Hall closed for a revamp at the end of November and was initially expected to open in April. But after Westmorland and Furness Council received extra government funding to carry out additional work on the building, the opening date was pushed back to 2027. Councillor Helen Chaffey said the preparation work, which included repairing walls, replacing the roof and installing solar panels, meant the council could now "crack on and create something really special". "This has been a golden opportunity to revitalise the Market Hall and to provide Kendal with an upgraded community and commercial space which is fit for the 21st Century," she said. "This development will add to the town centre's identity as a great place where residents, workers and visitors alike can enjoy shopping, visiting and spending time." The hall will next have its gas-fired heating replaced with an air source heat pump system, while energy-efficient LED lighting and automated doors will also be installed. Funding the work The first stage of the refurbishment was funded by £840,126 from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The remaining work will be paid for using £13.5m from the government's Levelling Up Fund, which was granted for the council's Heart of Kendal Project. The scheme is focused on regenerating Kendal Town Centre and improving the riverside corridor. The work also includes "repurposing" Westmorland Shopping Centre to provide new education accommodation to create a third campus for Kendal College. Engagement sessions will take place in the coming months to get people's views on the new hall design. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. More on this story Millions for town's revamp confirmed Millions more needed for market hall revamp Plans to 'enhance view' at Victorian market agreed Related internet links Westmorland and Furness Council
BBC News
01-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
First phase of Kendal Market Hall revamp complete
Initial works ahead of a multimillion-pound transformation of a historic market have been Market Hall closed for a revamp at the end of November and was initially expected to open in after Westmorland and Furness Council received extra government funding to carry out additional work on the building, the opening date was pushed back to Helen Chaffey said the preparation work, which included repairing walls, replacing the roof and installing solar panels, meant the council could now "crack on and create something really special". "This has been a golden opportunity to revitalise the Market Hall and to provide Kendal with an upgraded community and commercial space which is fit for the 21st Century," she said. "This development will add to the town centre's identity as a great place where residents, workers and visitors alike can enjoy shopping, visiting and spending time."The hall will next have its gas-fired heating replaced with an air source heat pump system, while energy-efficient LED lighting and automated doors will also be installed. Funding the work The first stage of the refurbishment was funded by £840,126 from the government's UK Shared Prosperity remaining work will be paid for using £13.5m from the government's Levelling Up Fund, which was granted for the council's Heart of Kendal Project. The scheme is focused on regenerating Kendal Town Centre and improving the riverside work also includes "repurposing" Westmorland Shopping Centre to provide new education accommodation to create a third campus for Kendal sessions will take place in the coming months to get people's views on the new hall design. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
