09/211, 3 September 2009
West Lancs welcomes Skelmersdale College
funding
West Lancashire Borough Council has welcomed
news that Skelmersdale College has won funding for new college
buildings.
Confirmation that the new college will be
built in Skelmersdale has been announced by the Learning and Skills
Council following a value-for-money review of the project and
strong pressure from Newcastle College, supported by the Borough
Council.
Cllr Ian Grant, Leader of the Council, said:
“This is marvellous news for Skelmersdale and for the whole of the
Borough. A new college is important not only for the future
education of our Borough’s young people, but also for the town of
Skelmersdale itself. The College plays a huge role in the town and
its new buildings will enhance the town centre as well as providing
much-needed community, education and training facilities that will
benefit everyone and help the town’s regeneration.”
Cllr Adrian Owens, portfolio holder for
regeneration, said: “The provision of new college buildings is a
key element of our masterplan for the regeneration of Skelmersdale
town centre. It is a huge boost for the town to receive this
confirmation that the Skelmersdale College scheme will soon be
underway. It is a positive first step in the long-awaited
regeneration of the town centre and a vote of confidence in
Skelmersdale which will I hope be followed shortly by others.”
Background
information
In 2008 West Lancashire Borough Council
adopted a masterplan, put together after extensive consultation
with local people, setting out the proposed shape of the new town
centre for Skelmersdale over the next 10 to 15 years. This includes
a new high street, more shops, supermarket, a new leisure centre,
community facilities, improvements to the Tawd Valley, and
housing.
The Council and its development partners, the
regeneration specialist St Modwen, are awaiting the outcome of a
public inquiry into proposals to build a massive retail development
at Kirkby, along with a new Everton football stadium, hotel and
offices. If this scheme is approved in its current form it
will threaten the viability of the Skelmersdale project. A decision
on the Kirkby scheme is expected to be announced by the Secretary
of State later in the year.
Related information