PROPOSALS to draw down investment of £20.6 million from Government have received the endorsement of leading councillors this week.

Copeland Borough Council’s leadership gave its stamp of approval to the Millom Town Deal Board’s proposals at a meeting on Tuesday.

The business case is designed to draw down investment of £20.6 million from the Millom Town Deal and will be submitted to Central Government if it is passed by full council next week.

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie said that “the regeneration of the town will bring improved economic prosperity with a knock-on increase in jobs and new businesses to the area.”

READ MORE: Millom residents urged to have their say on Town Deal proposals

Ambitious regeneration projects for Millom are headed up by four key projects: The Iron Line; Activating Community Health, Reactivating Heritage Buildings and Connected Millom and Haverigg.

Mr Starkie said: “Today with Millom it’s another £20 million and with the match funding, that is going to go to over £30 million going into Millom.

“Between Millom and Cleator Moor, these Town Deals, with the match funding are bringing over £70 million into Copeland which should be welcomed by residents the length and breadth of this borough.

“On a per capita basis these are two of the largest Town Deals the Government has given out in the United Kingdom. Alongside that, the hub project we’re doing with our partners in the nuclear industry is also beginning to commence.

“I think it’s also worth reflecting that this is happening in a year when the flood defence work, in 2020, we had £12.2 million go into Egremont for flood defences, that work completes this year.

“Also into Egremont, we’ve again with partners, put over £200,000 towards SASRA purchasing and taking ownership of the sports facilities of the Falcon Field in Egremont.”

READ MORE: Cleator Moor and Millom to benefit from £1m of investment

The mayor added that the town has been earmarked for up to £3 million in funding from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.

Councillor Andy Pratt, executive member for environment, place and inclusive communities said: “It’s great to see money come south of Egremont. It doesn’t come easy, there’s a tremendous amount of work that’s been put in by Town Deal Boards and our officers and volunteers to secure this funding to get the right projects picked.

Cllr Pratt, who will serve as Cumberland Council’s elected member for Millom next year said: “Thanks must go to the officers and the teams that have put all this together.”

READ MORE: Plans to improve Cleator Moor Activity Centre go to government