Buxton secures £6.6m for town centre transformation

Published on 14 May 2021

Buxton's £6.6 million bid for external funding to transform the town centre and build a high street for the future has been successful.

On Boxing Day the Government announced that funding of 69% of the total requested to help revitalise Buxton was available in principle - subject to High Peak Borough Council submitting a revised business case.

Further public consultation was carried out to help set priorities in January and February before the Council submitted a revised proposal which has now been approved.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, said: "We're absolutely delighted -  after a lot of hard work - to have secured this transformative funding for Buxton. Together with the £4.2 million from the Council's own cash investment, this sends a clear message that we are serious about our ambition for High Peak, for reviving Buxton and helping to deliver the post-Covid recovery that we need.

"The hard work starts now - this is obviously a significant sum and we need to ensure that we spend it to best effect to restore the vibrancy to Spring Gardens and create the right environment for a thriving town centre for many years to come.

"That's why we're committed to working co-operatively with people who share our passion for regenerating Buxton. We know that there will be bumps along the way and challenges ahead in delivering this scheme - not least of which are the changing economic circumstances and meeting a wide range of aspirations.

"But we're more than equal to it and we're looking forward to getting on with this exciting project and giving Buxton residents the town centre they have told us they want."

The aim of the project is to bring more people into the town centre at different times of the day by offering more varied opportunities for living, working and enjoying free time. Proposals include the development of new multi-level car parking behind The Springs and re-use of the surface level car parking for homes, leisure and community facilities.

A delivery board will now be set up led by the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council with members comprising those with a financial investment in the project and representation from a new town stakeholder group who will act as an advisory panel to ensure community voices are heard.

Councillor Anthony Mckeown, Leader of the Council, added: "I'd like to express our appreciation and thanks to everyone who has contributed to helping us get to this stage and those who have shared their views and thoughts on the future of Buxton. Together we can really refresh and reinvigorate our high street for the future. We now look forward to getting on and delivering it."