Architects help with town’s £15m Levelling Up bid

Architects Lathams has been helping with a Derbyshire town’s bid to land £15 million from the Government.

On behalf of a team led by Derbyshire Dales District Council, Lathams worked with the local community to propose public realm works that will help Ashbourne town centre thrive.

Its work forms part of the bid called Ashbourne Reborn, which has now been submitted to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for consideration.

The proposal focuses on two distinct project areas.

The first is a series of transformed public spaces including Market Place, Victoria Square, Millennium Square and Shrovetide Walk, while the second focuses on a new community hub, transforming the Methodist Church into a multi-purpose community building.

New traffic management plans aim to transform the pedestrian experience in Ashbourne, while the hub will provide a wide range of event and meeting spaces, a performance venue and flexible work areas with high quality digital provision.

If the bid is successful, work could start as early as the end of this year.

As well as the district council, partners involved in the bid include Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council, AshCom, Ashbourne Methodist Church and Derbyshire County Council.

Councillor Garry Purdy, leader of the district council, said: “This project to date has been a brilliant example of local partnership working and I want to thank all partners for their invaluable input.

“I understand it is the biggest capital grant bid ever submitted by this council and, if successful, I am confident it will create vibrant public squares and yards in Ashbourne, reversing decline in parts of the town and giving lots of reasons to visit in a safe and welcoming environment.

“We want to restore pride in place in Ashbourne.”