Everything that is planned as work starts on major revamp for Heywood town centre
Work is underway on the transformation of a major public square in the heart of Heywood.
The revamp of Peine Square will see the creation of new green spaces in front of the civic centre, and a variety of new seating it is hoped will give the area a facelift.
This comes on the back of a multi-million pound scheme delivering major improvements to extend and modernise Heywood Civic Centre.
New planting, paving and lighting will be installed, alongside informal play areas. Tiered seating; performance and exhibition areas; a mini stage; and a power supply will ensure that the area can be used for public events.
The scheme, to be delivered by Conlons, is the first project which will be delivered using money from the government’s £20m ‘Plan for Neighbourhoods’. Decisions on how this cash will be spent rest with the Heywood Town Board, a local group made up of community members, local councillors and Heywood and Middleton MP, Elsie Blundell.
Brian Davies, chair of the Heywood Town Board, said: “This is a fantastic project to kickstart the delivery of this £20m investment programme and we know from consultations carried out with residents that they welcomed the proposals for Peine Square.
“We’re still formulating our longer-term plans, but we know that making the area more attractive is a big priority for Heywood people, and this project very much fits the bill. I’m looking forward to the transformation we will see.”
The work to redevelop Peine Square complements the wider regeneration of Heywood town centre, which includes the revamp of Heywood Civic Centre, which is being funded by the Arts Council and Rochdale Borough Council. The work to revamp Peine Square, which is being delivered by the council and RDA, will take place alongside work to redevelop the civic centre, with work expected to complete this winter.
Councillor Angela Brown, chair of the Heywood Township and member of the Heywood Town Board, said: “I’m delighted that the board has backed this fantastic scheme and what a way to kickstart the delivery of this incredible investment programme. This project will really change the face of this important part of Heywood and turn it into a place people want to visit and spend time in.
“It will also create a fantastic gateway into the newly revamped civic centre, which is a really important cultural venue in this area.”
The £20m government funding will be made available in phases over the next ten years. A more detailed plan on how the town will use the rest of this cash will be submitted to the government before the end of the year.