One of the most exciting projects I have been working on as your MP has been the regeneration of Brierfield Mills (the former home of Smith and Nephew). Once where thousands of Pendle residents worked it was until recently derelict. However, the site’s £32 million transformation into ‘Northlight’ is progressing well with support from a variety of organisations.
Last month (January) I organised a visit for Darren Henley, the Chief Executive of the Arts Council, to see how Brierfield based arts group In-Situ are using a £348,000 grant to develop an art library, open-air cinema, gallery, workshop and performance area and artist accommodation at Northlight. In-Situ have separately received £556,000 from the Arts Council and I know they will be making excellent use of this generous support to inspire artists in Pendle.
We then had confirmation of a grant £611,732 from the Premier League and Football Association’s Facilities Fund to Burnley FC in the Community to deliver an indoor football pitch. This will be part of their £4 million state-of-the-art Leisure Box complex due to open this summer that will also have a soft play area, climbing wall, dance studios and outdoor sports facilities too. It will be an incredible leisure facility with 50% of the facilities free or at minimal cost for the local community.
Finally, I was absolutely delighted when Anne Milton MP, the Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships, paid a visit to Lancashire Adult Learning, our county’s largest provider of adult learning opportunities, who moved their operations to Northlight in September. The Minister met local businesses working with Lancashire Adult Learning and Oliver Scott, an apprentice starting his career with Bright Engineering, a precision engineering firm based on the Lomeshaye Estate. I am delighted by the increase in the number of apprenticeships over the last few years and this visit showed the importance of lifelong learning.
Northlight is the result of years of work by many different people. This project will transform Brierfield’s fortunes by creating new jobs, leisure and educational opportunities. It was only made possible by the Government providing Pendle Council with £1.5 million to buy the site outright in 2012 and a further £4.2 million investment in 2015. I will continue to do all I can to support the regeneration of this landmark site.