Scunthorpe joined the renaissance programme in the second phase of the Renaissance Towns Programme in 2002.

The Strategic Development Framework for Scunthorpe, prepared with advisors Gillespies, proposes three key phases for the renaissance of the town. This involves developing a new urban heart, delivering Abercrombie’s vision of making Scunthorpe a ‘new century garden town’ and the creation of the Lincolnshire Lakes.

The following major projects will deliver this vision:

• Sports Academy: Reinvigorating Central Park: creating a sustainable, high-quality facility that will deliver a reinvigorated Central Park. It will offer new facilities and wildlife habitats alongside an innovative, iconic yet sensitively designed, sporting facility.
• Knowledge campus: a centre for learning based around the three existing high quality educational institutions adjacent to Central Park. The project will increase the profile of the town through the creation of a centre of high repute for learning, enterprise and creativity.
• Market and cultural quarter: a major mixed use redevelopment in the market/cultural quarter of the town centre, including the development of a new market, improved retail offer, residential and leisure developments.
• Public realm and arts: improvements to the urban realm and creation of new and improved public spaces including the use of public art in key areas of the town centre.
• Lincolnshire Lakes: the creation of a new lakeland setting for the town, which will positively transform the approach to Scunthorpe. It will create a valuable opportunity for biodiversity and a new place for living, working and leisure.

It is expected that Yorkshire Forward will invest approximately £11.5m in Scunthorpe’s renaissance.