Plans for Harlow’s ‘levelling up’ projects to transform Playhouse Square, College Square and Market Square have been unveiled.
Harlow Council has submitted a bid for a £20 million share of £4.8 billion in Government funding for the schemes.
The council has already secured £23.7 million from the towns fund to improve transport links in the town centre, regenerate the Staple Tye neighbourhood, create a new junction at Cambridge Road and River Way, and deliver an Institute of Technology at Harlow College.
The latest bid would see three squares across the town regenerated, with plans for the proposals released last week.
A share of the cash would go towards the creation of an arts and cultural plaza in Playhouse Square.
Proposals include a new building to extend The Playhouse with a new box office, café, exhibition and workshop spaces, and studios for creative uses and rehearsals.
Playhouse Square will become an area for outdoor performances while College Square and the area outside St Paul’s Church will also be refurbished.
The proposal includes purchasing Occasio House to redevelop into new housing. The nearby underpass will also be transformed and the existing taxi rank will be relocated.
A scheme to improve Stone Cross Square has also been proposed, involving a new green, social and leisure-focussed event and activity space.
The project includes an outdoor cinema area, outdoor hospitality and dining spaces, areas for trading, exhibitions and specialist markets, new public sculpture and more landscaping to improve the look and feel of the area.
Brian Keane, chief executive of Harlow Council, said: “We are hopeful that, following the £23.7m of government funding announced last week, we will get even more support to improve our town and specifically the regeneration of our town centre.
“Our refreshed and improved proposals for the Playhouse Quarter and Stone Cross Square will breathe new life into two public spaces, which will be transformed. Both projects will link to the towns fund projects helping to make the whole town centre a more vibrant place to visit.”
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