A planning application has been submitted to Cumberland Council as the Revitalised Town section of the Cleator Moor Town Deal starts moving forward.

The Revitalised Town is one of four projects that make up the Cleator Moor Town Deal which last year secured £40.9m in funding with £22.5m coming from the Government’s Towns Fund and a further £18.4m from match funders.

Permission is being sought for a new public services and cultural community hub which would be created by refurbishing and reconfiguring Cleator Moor Library and the old Council Offices on the Market Square together with work to the external public realm.

This would mean the removal of the artwork by the late Conrad Atkinson but it has been confirmed that it will be reinstalled in the town.

The new hub aims to offer skills and employment opportunities and community facilities including a cafe for local people and to increase footfall in the town’s centre. 

Bob Metcalfe, Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said: “Getting the project to the stage at which it can be submitted to the local planning authority is a big step and represents a huge amount of work.

“This project has the potential to secure a range of long term benefits for the town, its residents and businesses and I’m pleased to see it move forward.

“Members of the public viewed the proposal at the Town Deal drop-in event held earlier this year and it received some very positive feedback.”

The proposed town centre hub would look to provide a range of new facilities including a cafe along with reading space and internet access.

An extension would be built to add a new entrance from Market Street, improving accessibility to both the library and Town Hall.

Outside, improvements would include new landscaped areas, restoration of the memorial fountain and removal of cast iron railings around Market Place and the Town Square.

The application will be considered at a future hearing of Cumberland Council’s Planning Committee.