Regeneration

Principal towns and local village centres

Our principal towns and local village centres investment programme is an estimated £35 million project. Its aim is to improve local economies around the borough and help our high streets thrive.

£5 million has already been invested into our six principal towns and ten local centres to help them thrive. This has already given us more than 60 projects either completed or underway.

These include more than 500 local shop-front transformations and high street improvements.

There are also community art projects and new public spaces being created.

What we are doing

We’re now progressing further with our principal towns and local village centres programme.

A further £10 million has been set aside by our cabinet to support the project.

Our Cabinet has approved individual town investment plans for each principal town and there's also a borough-wide plan to target investment in key local projects in other areas across the borough.

We’ll be using the detailed town investment plans to support investment.

This is done through regional and national funding opportunities, as well as other inward investment.

Works funded by the project will include:

  • mini business centres, including business support
  • repurposing of key buildings and land
  • transport improvements, including active travel routes
  • cultural celebrations, as well as participation in cultural events and projects
  • employability support to help people to get into good work
  • development of open and welcoming public and green spaces
  • development of amenities and facilities for community use
  • digital connectivity projects to tackle digital exclusion and build skills
  • investment in low carbon and sustainability improvements

By encouraging footfall and improving the visiting experience, the project aims to promote private sector investment and other funding streams to create new opportunities for businesses.

Main shopping areas (principal towns) where investment will be spent

  • Cudworth
  • Goldthorpe
  • Hoyland
  • Penistone
  • Royston
  • Wombwell

Borough-wide local village centre areas also included

  • Darfield
  • Darton East
  • Darton West
  • Dearne South
  • Dodworth
  • Kingstone
  • Monk Bretton
  • North East
  • Old Town
  • Stairfoot
  • St Helen's
  • Worsbrough

 

New town investment plans

Ambitious investment plans have been drawn up for each of our Principal Towns of Cudworth, Hoyland, Royston, Penistone and Wombwell.

Goldthorpe already has a town investment plan after it was chosen as one of the towns to be supported by the UK government’s Towns Fund. Read about the Goldthorpe Towns Fund deal.

The plans have been put together using feedback from local people through local consultations. Each plan is different and tailored to local priorities in each area, but here’s a summary of some of the investment included in each one:

Cudworth

  • Recycle and renovate existing buildings.
  • One stop for public services.
  • Trans Pennine Trail improvements.
  • Greenspace enhancements.
  • Investment in public art.

Hoyland

  • Recycle and renovate existing buildings.
  • One stop for public services.
  • Trans Pennine Trail improvements.
  • Greenspace enhancements.
  • Investment in public art.

Penistone

  • Renovation of the coal drops.
  • One public estate in the town.
  • Trans Pennine Trail improvements.
  • Green space enhancements.
  • Community art projects.

Royston

  • Creation of Monckton Enterprise Park.
  • Improved leisure facilities.
  • Trans Pennine Trail improvements.
  • Investment in public art.

Wombwell

  • Recycle and renovate existing buildings.
  • Trans Pennine Trail improvements.
  • Greenspace enhancements.
  • Investment in public art.

Local village centres

  • Investing in public art.
  • Improving our green spaces.
  • Recycling and restoring buildings.

 

Goldthorpe

Goldthorpe has its own town investment plan after it was chosen as one of the towns to be supported by the UK government’s Towns Fund. Read about the Goldthorpe Towns Fund deal.

Shop front scheme and new business grants

Grants to improve the shop fronts of independent businesses in the borough. Find out about the shop front scheme.

Follow us on social media

Search using the hashtag #PrincipalTowns on Facebook and X to see what's happening as part of the project in your local area.

Progress updates