Kirkby’s £20m plan approved
The first projects funded by Kirkby’s £20m Pride in Place fund will be coming to life in the next few months, now that the government has approved the investment plan.
After receiving the news in 2023 that Kirkby would be awarded £20m over ten years, Ashfield District Council worked with the Kirkby Town Board - made up of residents, Council officers, local Councillors, representatives from voluntary, education, business, and healthcare sectors and the local MP – to put together a plan for the proposals and vision for the future of Kirkby.
The funding will pay for multiple projects over the next ten years and there are currently around 40 ideas that cover the high street, heritage and regeneration, work, productivity and skills, unity, health and wellbeing, transport, safety and security, and education and opportunity, that will be brought to the board to be approved.
The following three schemes have been approved by the Kirkby Town Board and will now progress:
· Digital Inclusion – Every student starting Year 10 in September 2026 will be given a Chromebook as part of a two-year pilot at Outwood Academy to support them through Years 10 and 11, as well as into further education and employment. This is an investment into the students, not the school, opening digital opportunities for young people that need it the most.
· Morvern Park Playzone - Create a safe, accessible, all‑weather multi‑use games area to tackle low activity levels, health inequalities and limited youth provision.
· Titchfield Park – Provide new changing facilities and upgrade the existing all-weather pitch to expand capacity for football, netball and basketball.
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning, said:
“This investment plan for Kirkby is a real joint effort between the Council and the Kirkby Town Board who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to put together a vision we can all be proud of. The range of proposals are vast and cover all areas that residents and businesses have told us they are concerned about.
“Our vision is to make Kirkby a great place for everyone. We want it to be a fun, safe, and happy place to live, work, learn and play. By working together and listening to our community, we can help people do well, feel proud, and enjoy life —now and in the future.”
Any of the projects must achieve one of the government’s three aims: building stronger communities, creating thriving places, and helping communities to take back control of their own lives and areas.
Posted on 25 March 2026