Harlow MP, Robert Halfon, has welcomed a new law approved by Parliament this week which will rocket-boost the regeneration programme being delivered by Harlow’s Conservative-run Council.
The new legislation has guaranteed in law the Government’s commitment to levelling up and regenerating communities all over the country, including Harlow. This will see millions of pounds of investment from the Government, supported by private sector investors, to build an even better Harlow.
As part of the regeneration programme for the town, Harlow Council is delivering a transformation of the town centre with construction work already underway. The Council has put in a bid for the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to support this work - which was backed by Robert Halfon MP. Construction work on the new town centre will shift up a gear in the New Year with major projects such as the new bus station, redesign of Broadwalk and the Playhouse Quarter kicking off.
Already the Council have passed a new town centre masterplan and roadmap for regeneration which in turn has secured a further £46 million investment from Strawberry Star to rebuild the derelict old Little Walk site. Demolition work began on this scheme in November and will continue over the coming months. They are also working with other investment partners to secure even more investment into the town centre.
This new law will give the Conservative-run Council more powers and backing to deliver the much-needed regeneration programme and finally complete the long-awaited transformation of the town centre.
These projects, alongside Harlow’s £23.7 million Towns Fund deal, will help establish an attractive, vibrant town centre that supports the success of other major investments planned for the town, such as the Harlow Innovation Park & Enterprise Zone, the new M11 Junction 7A, the new Princess Alexandra Hospital, the remodelling of Harlow College, the relocation of the UKHSA to Harlow and the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town project.
Commenting on the new law, Mr Halfon said, “I am proud to call Harlow my home and we are building an even better Harlow. This new law will rocket-boost the regeneration of Harlow with new powers and hundreds of millions of pounds of investment in infrastructure, housing and regeneration.
“Our close proximity to London and being within the London-Cambridge UK Innovation Corridor builds on the great Government investments that are coming into Harlow. Working with Harlow Council, I am proud of the work that is already underway which will enable everybody to climb the ladder of opportunity and restore pride in the town centre.
“The exciting plans from Harlow Council to regenerate our town includes massive private investment to boost the local economy, generating further investment and creating high-quality new homes for Harlow families, new public spaces and commercial, leisure and retail spaces.”
