'Heywood is leading the way' as minister hails £20m regeneration plan as town becomes national model

Friday, 20 June 2025 20:59

By David Murphy

Government local growth minister Alex Norris MP visited Heywood this week to praise the town’s rapid progress and successful community engagement on a major neighbourhood investment plan.

Heywood has been described as a model for neighbourhood regeneration after securing £20m in Government funding and completing a large-scale community consultation. Local growth minister Alex Norris MP, who visited the town at the invitation of MP Elsie Blundell, praised Heywood as a “vanguard” town due to its fast-track submission and strong public involvement.

Mr Norris met with the local Town Board overseeing the Plan for Neighbourhoods and toured the town to learn about how residents’ input shaped the development priorities. More than 1,500 people took part in the consultation.

Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell said the visit marked a significant step in putting towns like Heywood on the national political map.

She said: “I am proud of Heywood and everything it has to offer. Heywood has an opportunity, with Labour Government support, to invest in itself and shape its own future. Having the minister here shows we can move towns like ours up the Government agenda and shape the place we live in.”

She also thanked the minister for attending and engaging directly with people who are committed to the town’s development.

The £20m funding, part of the Government’s neighbourhood regeneration initiative, will support improvements to local services, public spaces and economic opportunities. Specific projects are expected to be announced following a second phase of planning by the Town Board.

Heywood’s successful engagement process and prompt planning have set a benchmark for other towns participating in the programme. Mr Norris's use of the term “vanguard” signals national recognition of Heywood's proactive approach.