THE blueprint to revive a town centre has won £112,000 of National Lottery cash for the next stage of turning it into reality.

In August Rossendale Council published the the Haslingden 2040 masterplan.

It hopes to spend £2.35million to redevelop its central area.

The blueprint would create new event spaces, shared green areas for people to meet and better pedestrian links.

The proposals include: the extended paving and pedestrianisation of Upper Deardengate; the creation of new event spaces for community activities such as artisan’s markets; a new nature pocket park with seating around a statue of William Cockerill; an enhanced public realm on Pleasant Street and around the graveyard; and the refurbishment of the existing Big Lamp and a creation of a new one.

They would also offer grants to shopkeepers for property refurbishments; market improvements; architectural lighting and alleyway improvements.

The council has put in a bid for the cash from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This week it passed its first hurdle as the fund approved a £112,000 grant to work up the proposals for a full submission for the remaining £2m plus. Rossendale council has topped up the cash with an extra £15,000.

The masterplan hs been drawn up by a special Haslingden Town Centre Strategic Board with input from the towns residents and businesses.

Leader of Rossendale Council Cllr Alyson Barnes, who chairs the board, said:“I am delighted the bid has cleared the first stage.

"If we are successful, we would unlock millions of pounds to put into the town centre."