A TEN-YEAR vision to regenerate Lancaster district has been hailed a major success.
Lancaster District Regeneration Partnership has held its final meeting – a decade after it was set up to co-ordinate a multi-million-pound funding programme.
During that time the partnership has, through the Lancaster Single Regeneration Budget (S
RB) and Lancaster and Morecambe Economic Development Zone (EDZ) projects, secured more than £25million to create and safeguard jobs, provide training opportunities, and provide opportunities for young people.
Through the EDZ hundreds of jobs have been created or safeguarded and the district is now in a strong position to attract new businesses and boost the local economy.
Key projects have included:
* CityLab
* The Storey Centre for Creative Industries
* Port of Heysham Industrial Estate
* Heysham Business Park industrial access
* Creation of a network of cycleways and safe walking routes to the district's main employment areas
Through the SRB, physical regeneration and new investment, enterprise and business growth, training and access to employment was targeted towards people living in Castle, Bulk and north Lancaster wards.
Achievements included:
* Lancaster Business Park
* Business advice
* Business development grants
* The 'Pedal Power' Project
* Computer training at YMCA and the BEST Centres
* Green Ayre Skateboard Park
* New and improved community facilities including Ridge multi-use games area, Derby Road Play Area, Marsh Community Centre
Heather McManus, corporate director (regeneration) at Lancaster City Council, said: "The last 10 years have been a time of
major change in the Lancaster district.
"When the partnership was created in 1999 the district was facing a tough time. We had lost our traditional manufacturing industries, unemployment was high, and there was a lack of new investment.
"Through the Lancaster District Regeneration Partnership and other initiatives such as InfoLab21 at Lancaster University and the regeneration of Morecambe, that position has been transformed.
"The district's economy is moving forward and we are recognised as an area with strong growth potential.
"There is still much to do, however, and the city council and its partners will continue to work hard to increase the employment opportunities available to local people and lead the regeneration of the district."
Although the partnership has now ended, district regeneration will continue through the Local Strategic Partnership. Future projects include Lancaster Science Park.
