NEWTOWN residents and businesses are being invited to offer their opinions on a £750,000 investment that will regenerate green spaces in the town.

Powys County Council, in partnership with Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council, have finalised the details and plans for the ‘Growing Newtown’ town centre project and are launching a consultation this week to capture the views of Newtown’s residents and town centre business owners.

The online consultation takes place on Wednesday evening via Zoom at 6pm.

The Growing Newtown project forms part of the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme which supports economic regeneration and wider sustainable development.

Councillor Iain McIntosh, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said: “It’s great news for Newtown that we have been able to secure £500,000 in grant funding from Welsh Government for the Growing Newtown project.

“Along with Powys County Council’s contribution of £240,000 and a further £20,000 contribution from Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council, we can really make a difference by rejuvenating four areas within the town centre: Back Lane and High Street junction, High Street, Severn Square and Gas Street Car Park.”

Cllr Heulwen Hulme, cabinet member for the environment, added: “The funding will allow us to make much-needed improvements to these areas such as resurfacing works, enhancing green space and improving drainage.

“But we really want to make sure the residents and town centre business owners of Newtown are happy with our plans – it’s their town after all.

“This consultation will allow people to comment on the proposed plans and make suggestions of their own. We are all really looking forward to what everyone has to say and how that is going to positively impact Newtown town centre.”

The town council are also thrilled, with a spokesperson saying: “This is a wonderful investment for our town and residents.

“We have been able to access funds that would go elsewhere in Wales if we had not been able to develop this improvement scheme with our partners. Investment in our town at this difficult time is very welcome indeed.

“Bringing more trees into our town centre, reducing the amount of waste rainfall water and adding colour and environmental changes are all part of tackling climate change which is a top policy of both Powys and Newtown councils.

“We hope that businesses and residents will be pleased with the plans that should be completed next year.”

A live Zoom webinar will be held this Wednesday, November 18, at 6pm, where the plans and your feedback will be explained in full. To join the webinar, please follow this link: https://zoom.us/j/93129114084.

Full details of the consultation and how you can have your say on the plans for the Growing Newtown project, visit: https://www.growinpowys.com/haveyoursaynewtown.