Latest news with #TheIronLine
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
New visitor centre planned for west Cumbria
CUMBERLAND Council is hoping to build a new visitor centre for Millom. The plans are for a site on land at Hodbarrow Nature Reserve and they are currently being considered by council planning officers. They include a cafe and shop, a group room, toilet facilities and a car park, as well as the consolidation, repair and installation of an interpretive sculpture to Towsey Hole Windwill. In addition, organisers are hoping to refurbish an existing tern hide, add new bird hides and viewing screens, pathways, gateway features and street furniture. According to a planning report, in September 2019 Millom became one of 101 places invited to work with the Government to propose a Town Deal with up to £25 million in funds available from the wider £3.6 billion Towns Fund. It states: 'In November 2022, Cumberland Council and Millom Town Deal Boards were notified by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLHUC) that following the submission of Full Business Cases they had been successful in securing £20.6 million for Millom. 'With match funding, this has brought forward investment of over £28.7 million into Millom. Work is now underway to deliver four exciting projects, one of which is The Iron Line.' According to the report Hodbarrow is 'a fantastic place to visit but struggles with a number of practical issues which prevent the reserve from meeting its full potential.' The practical issues include: vandalism; management; no parking; the path network; limited signage; limited furniture; little shelter; and ecological designations. The report states: 'RSPB Hodbarrow is located in close proximity to Millom and Haverigg and accessible on foot from the north via Mainsgate Road and from the east and west using a selection of public rights of way, including the recently established England Coast Path. 'The Iron Line route is formally designated as a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) meaning that the route can be accessed by cars, cyclists, horses and pedestrians. 'Once on the reserve, a network of paths, of varying width and quality enable visitors to explore Hodbarrow. The limitation of the existing path network is that most are poorly surfaced and littered with potholes. 'Added to this is an inconsistency of type, meaning there's a lack of hierarchy, resulting in a navigational challenge. The masterplan proposes to improve the path network so that routes are better defined, solid and level underfoot so that visitors can traverse the site more easily.' According to the report this will comprise: formalising existing desire lines; using boardwalks at certain locations to minimise impact on ecology; and where appropriate, the introduction of fencing to keep visitors on track and away from the most sensitive habitats; and highlighting of important path nodes.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Work under way on £2m arts and community centre
Construction work is under way to turn a former bank into a £2m arts and community centre. The Old Bank, in the former Natwest building at Market Square in Millom, Cumbria, is being turned into a community space with a cafe, a maker's market and studios. It is the second project from the Millom Town Deal, a £29.3m government-funded scheme to regenerate Millom and Haverigg. David Savage, chairman of the Millom Town Deal board, said: "This iconic building will once again come back to life and play a significant role in boosting our local economy." The Millom Town Deal includes three further projects - The Iron Line, Connected Millom and Haverigg and Activating Community Health, the latter having got under way at the start of the year. The Arts and Enterprise Centre will also include "diverse spaces" to support local businesses, start-ups, and community interactions, Millom Town Deal said. Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer said it was "another important milestone" for the projects. Fryer, who represents the Labour party, said works reflected "the start of a brighter future". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. 'Forgotten town's' £2m arts centre approved Leisure facility plans reach 'important stage' Millom Town Deal
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Work under way on Millom town deal £2m Old Bank arts centre
Construction work is under way to turn a former bank into a £2m arts and community Old Bank, in the former Natwest building at Market Square in Millom, Cumbria, is being turned into a community space with a cafe, a maker's market and is the second project from the Millom Town Deal, a £29.3m government-funded scheme to regenerate Millom and Savage, chairman of the Millom Town Deal board, said: "This iconic building will once again come back to life and play a significant role in boosting our local economy." The Millom Town Deal includes three further projects - The Iron Line, Connected Millom and Haverigg and Activating Community Health, the latter having got under way at the start of the Arts and Enterprise Centre will also include "diverse spaces" to support local businesses, start-ups, and community interactions, Millom Town Deal of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer said it was "another important milestone" for the who represents the Labour party, said works reflected "the start of a brighter future". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
