Ashfield District Council has been told its previously-announced £20m funding for Kirkby from the government will go ahead.

It will go towards the Kirkby Neighbourhood Plan, to support the town over the next decade.

The Kirkby Town Board agreed a draft plan for investment last summer after talks with the public and local businesses.

But the submission of the plan was then put on hold while the new government reviewed the funding
programme, which had been agreed by the previous government.

Some of the criteria has been changed to widen the scope of activity that can be supported, and the Board will be meeting to discuss how to review the plan and to further engage with Kirkby residents, local organisations and businesses. Following the review, the final plan will be submitted to the government.

The Board will then be ready to start implementing projects from April 2026 onwards. In the meantime, funding has been provided to support development of the plan and projects.

Coun Jason Zadrozny, council leader, said: “We are pleased this much-needed funding for Kirkby has been reconfirmed.

“This funding was previously earmarked for projects we have been working on for well over a year now, so to have confirmation this funding is secure is good news for Ashfield.

“We will continue to work with the Kirkby Town Board to review our plan and get it ready for resubmission later in the year, ready to start implementation of our plan as soon as the
funding arrives from April 2026 onwards.”

Coun Chris Huskinson, ward councillor for Greenwood & Summit, added: “To see this amount of funding reconfirmed for Kirkby is fantastic. We have already seen the new Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre at Sherwood Observatory open thanks to ongoing investment in our regeneration programmes, as well as new leisure facilities at King’s Mill Reservoir for residents and visitors across the region.

“This funding will help us in continuing our work to improve Kirkby for our residents, visitors
and businesses.”

Coun Andy Meakin, ward councillor for Abbey Hill, said: “Kirkby is a fantastic town and I welcome the re-confirmed funding to help us further improve on what we have here. I look forward to seeing Kirkby further thrive thanks to this reconfirmed funding.”

Martin Rigley, chair of the Kirkby Town Board, added: “The Kirkby Town Board has listened to its community and have a number of much needed projects ready to go, the reconfirmation of the funding from the Government is welcome news.”