Introduction
Denbighshire County Council is pleased to have secured £19.97m from Round 3 of the UK Government’s former Levelling Up Funding Programme to support the development of 7 projects which are intended to increase pride of place and improve the environment. The funds secured have been awarded for these 7 successful projects only and are non-transferrable to alternative projects or services.
Denbighshire County Council submitted applications for all 3 constituency areas that were in place in the County at this time (the constituency areas changed during 2024). Projects included in the application were put forward by County Councillors, Members of Parliament, City, Town and Community Councils and officers from across Denbighshire with final approval by the Council’s Cabinet. Further information on the background to the funding can be found on the Council website.
There are 3 main strands to this UK Government funded programme. The first will focus on enhancing Rhyl town centre via public realm improvements and increase the sense of place and security. The second strand is focused on readying the former North Wales Hospital site for future phases of the development project. Finally, the third strand will improve the public realm in Prestatyn town centre and involves repurposing the nature walk.
Projects
Rhyl Town Centre Public Realm
A scheme of improvements to regenerate the public realm and better connect the town centre with the beach.
Rhyl Central Promenade
Public realm and highways improvements to improve accessibility and create better connectivity between the promenade and the town centre.
Rhyl Gateway Pocket Park
Remove unsafe buildings at 123-131 High Street and provide an open, planted welcoming green space and seating areas, accessible for all.
Queen’s Market, Rhyl Public Realm
Improvements to enhance the offer of Queen’s Market, Rhyl.
Former North Wales Hospital, Denbigh
Scheme to demolish unsafe parts and safeguard the remainder of the Grade II listed building to enable private sector development works to be undertaken.
Prestatyn High Street
Enhance the public realm and green infrastructure on the main high street to improve the accessibility of the town centre.
Prestatyn Morfa Nature Park
Provide a peaceful place to walk around the wetland, enhancing the pedestrian and cycle route by connecting it to the already established routes.
Current position
All projects are currently in the design and development stage with feasibility and survey work now beginning. There have been some delays to the formal approval of funding due to the change in government last summer. However, final approval for the grant has now been received and work is on-going to form project teams and progress the project designs and development.
Projects are at varying stages of readiness with most some way off construction activity. As delivery plans are developed for each of the projects, further information will be made available to advise on timescales.
In Rhyl and Prestatyn, public engagement and consultation is expected to take place later this year for some of the larger projects. Opportunities for viewing designs and to have your say will be promoted via the Council’s social media sites, through press releases and our newsletter. Sign up to the newsletter and receive it directly to your inbox to keep up with the latest news.
We understand that businesses and residents may have concerns about the impact of the construction particularly where we have several projects in proximity. As projects are developed, any potential impact of the constructions works will be identified and steps will be taken wherever possible to minimise disruption for businesses and residents – further information will be circulated as it is known.
Future newsletters
If you would be interested in receiving future newsletters via email with the latest updates on the projects being undertaken as part of the Vale of Clwyd UK Government Funded programme, you can sign up to our mailing list.
If you have any further questions, please contact the team at levellingup@denbighshire.gov.uk.