Morley Town Hall drop-in event marks start of ‘Green and Connected’ consultation survey

The ‘Green and Connected’ drop-in event is being run by the Morley Town Deal Board, with Leeds City Council, and will give people the opportunity to comment on proposals put forward as part of the ‘Town Investment Plan’ using funding from the £24.3 million grant secured from the Government’s Towns Fund * in March.

The drop-in event will run from 1pm to 6pm, and there will also be the opportunity to complete an online survey for both event participants and people unable to attend.

The consultation aims to gather public opinion on proposals to:

• Upgrade and create greenspaces
• Invest in local parks
• Offer better connections to the rail station
• Provide better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists 
• Improve the civic space around the Grade I listed Morley Town Hall

The Town Hall event will allow people to learn more about the proposed projects and offers the public the opportunity to speak directly to project officials and members of the Morley Town Deal Board. 

There will also be opportunities to participate in art workshops hosted by local Morley artist Rachel Savage and explore the Grade-I listed Town Hall with Dr Clive McManus of Morley Community Archives at 1 pm and 4 pm. Early booking for the art workshop is recommended (booking details below).

Speaking of the proposals, Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: 

“The Green and Connected proposals in Morley will bring important, health, environmental, and transport improvements to the town, especially in terms of improved air quality, better access to public transport, and more opportunities for healthier and greener active transport options such as walking or cycling.

“The proposals also demonstrate our continued commitment to delivering much-needed improvements for residents, employees and visitors across the Leeds district and contribute to the vision of Leeds becoming a net-zero carbon city by 2030. 

“I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the survey, to help shape Morley’s future and deliver these schemes quickly to start making a real difference to the lives of local people.”

Gerald Jennings, chairman of Morley Town Deal board, added:

“The consultation offers people the opportunity to participate in shaping Morley’s future for the better.

“From what the people of Morley have previously told us, we feel the proposals get to the heart of important issues in the town in terms of improved air quality, better public transport connectivity, and greener travel options.

“We are all responsible for making Morley fit for future success and an even better place to live and work. The Town Deal is a unique opportunity for Morley, and I would encourage everyone to look at the proposals during the Town Hall event or online and to offer their feedback through the online survey.” 

The £24.3 million Towns Fund grant will deliver on key priorities identified through public consultation undertaken in 2020, including greenspaces, jobs, skills, and improving cherished buildings.

If you would like to find further information on the plans for Morley or participate in the survey, use this link to see more details: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/campaign/morley-town-deal or visit: https://morleytowndeal.commonplace.is/

To book your place for the art workshop with Rachel Savage, please email: hello@olioprojects.com.

The Town Hall Tour with Dr Clive McManus will be held at 1 pm and 4pm on a first come, first served basis.

Notes to Editors:

*Towns Fund – Town Deals

Towns Fund – Town Deals

On 27 July 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. See further details of the announcement.

A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between government, the Lead Council and the Town Deal Board. It will set out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision.

See the 101 places being supported to develop Town Deals.

Each of the 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal also received accelerated funding last year for investment in capital projects that would have an immediate impact and help places “build back better” in the wake of Covid-19.

View a list of accelerated funding by place (PDF, 266 KB, 11 pages).