CONWY’s cabinet has supported plans to submit multi-million pound funding bids to the UK Government.

The UK Government has announced a capital UK Levelling Up Fund available to each of its local authorities.

The fund is intended to support investment in places where it can make the biggest difference to everyday life, and is designed to help areas select genuine priorities for investment.

At a meeting yesterday (January 25), Conwy’s cabinet discussed the proposals and supported submitting bids to the UK Levelling Up Fund.

The development of the proposal for Clwyd West is the furthest advanced, to carry out phase two of the Parc Eirias project, to increase the capacity of the stadium to attract larger sporting and cultural events.

As the Clwyd West constituency boundary is shared with Denbighshire, this will be a joint bid between the two authorities, with each making a bid for £10million.

Whereas the Aberconwy constituency lies wholly within the Conwy County Borough Council boundary, and a proposal is currently being scoped out to support activities within the culture strategy, this bid can be for a maximum of £20m

In addition, a bid for a transport proposal (up to £20m) is for the whole Conwy county area and will focus on active travel and a coast to valley cycle route, linking tourist attractions.

Councillor Louise Emery, cabinet member for economic development and leisure, said: “I am very excited about the further development of Parc Eirias within the Clwyd West constituency, supporting Eirias as a major venue for sporting and cultural events, bringing increased economic benefit to the local economy and increased status for the Colwyn Bay area.

“We’ve had several meetings to come up with a variety of ideas for the Aberconwy constituency under the culture and tourism agenda, and these now need to be worked through with further engagement with communities, local members and other stakeholders.”

Cllr Greg Robbins, cabinet member for environment and transportation, added: “This fund gives Conwy a unique opportunity to bring forward transformational schemes that will have a tangible positive impact for its residents, business and many visitors.

“A sustainable active travel link over the Conwy River and down through Glan Conwy has been the desire of many for some time.

“With this funding, we now the opportunity to deliver a fully connected scheme from Conwy (and further afield though the Coastal Path) right down to Betws-y-Coed.

“This, combined with the other transport proposals will help to reduce carbon usage, provide a safe and usable network for commuting and leisure use and reduce traffic.

“I fully support all of the bids in this report.”

Development of the Clwyd West UK Levelling Up Fund proposal will continue, and a bid submitted to the UK Government when the final submission date is confirmed for round two applications.

David Jones, Clwyd West MP, said: “The Levelling Up Fund has the potential to deliver transformational change to the constituency of Clwyd West.

“I am pleased to give my full support to the Conwy element of the bid.

“The improvements to the stadium at Eirias Park will create a hugely valuable facility for Colwyn Bay and help generate significant additional economic activity in the important sports and leisure sector.”

For the Aberconwy proposal, work will start soon to determine the projects that will be included in the bid, so that the preparatory work can take place, with the aim to submit the proposal in round three in autumn 2022.

Robin Millar, Aberconwy MP, said: “I'm pleased to be working with the council on developing bids to bring real improvements to Aberconwy.

“I have been speaking with residents and communities and groups across Aberconwy about their long standing priorities and concerns.

“I hope that working with the council we can bring significant funding from the UK Government to go directly to where it is needed.

“We have already seen community renewal funds come to Aberconwy and I am hopeful the Levelling Up Fund is just the next step beginning of a new relationship between the UK Government and Conwy County Borough Council to help take Aberconwy forward.”

For the transport proposal, work has started on the background and feasibility work, and existing studies and plans are being collated.

Work will need to start to shape and draw together this proposal for submission in autumn 2022 submission date.