£150m town revamp masterplan unveiled

An artist's impression of how Skelmersdale could look

People are being given a say on plans for a £150m revamp of a town.

The project, in Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, would include 400 new homes and could possibly include the return of a railway station.

Restaurants, a leisure hub, a modernised library and the refurbishment of the local amphitheatre have also been proposed as part of the second stage in the transformation scheme for Skelmersdale.

Yvonne Gagen, the Labour leader of West Lancashire Council, said the authority wanted to create a “greener, more-vibrant town and build a better life for our communities”.

Lancashire County Council owns part of the site allocated for the new homes and possible station, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reports.

The original Skelmersdale railway station was closed in 1956, and any funds for a future rail station would require financial support from central government, said Mark Kitts, the managing director of the council-owned firm Tawd Valley Developments.

“The vast majority of funding for the proposed master-plan will be from the private sector,” he said.

“It is expected that some proposals, such as the visitor centre, business incubator and train station will require funding from central government.”

Swimming pools

Mr Kitts said funds for some affordable housing, roads and infrastructure will be required from the government agency Homes England.

The public consultation will run until 25 November.

Separately, West Lancashire Council is reconsidering ideas for two new leisure centres due to rising costs, including a potential closure of the Nye Bevan Swimming Pool and the nearby Park Pool in Ormskirk.

They are also looking at cheaper and quicker ways to build above-ground swimming pools.

But the idea of closing existing pools before new facilities are open has sparked some protests.

Earlier this year, Steven Horrocks, of the E-Room music studios and gig venue, said he wanted to see the Nye Bevan pool saved and converted into an arts, music and events venue.