The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has confirmed the further details of the areas that are to benefit from Levelling Up Partnership funding.
Across Boston, Stoke-on-Trent, Wakefield, the Scottish Borders, Tendring, investment will be allocated to regeneration projects that will support the government’s levelling up plans. Approximately £60 million will be committed by the government, covering everything from culture and the arts, to transport and housing.
Boston will see £13 million invested in regeneration, as well as access to community sport and leisure facilities. 30 affordable homes will be delivered as part of the regeneration funding, whilst a total of £10.2 million will go to Boston Leisure Centre and Boston United, the latter of which will support young people through the community sports complex. Community groups and tourism will also benefit from £1.5 million of investment, alongside £2.5 million being committed to the opening of a digital and creative campus at Boston Campus.
Almost £6.5 million is being allocated to the regeneration of historic and heritage buildings in Stoke-on-Trent, whilst a further £2.5 million will contribute to the improvement of recreational facilities and the creation of a new wellbeing campus. This will be complemented by the redevelopment of a 19th-century building in the area, which will be brought back into public use.
A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said:
“It is a relief that we have this approval before the Election drawbridge goes up. Council officers have been contacting the civil servants daily to try to get a decision.
“With approval finally given, we will now crack on with delivery at pace. What is great about the programme we have designed is that it brings benefit to many parts of the city and people of all ages and interest…”
Wakefield is set to benefit from more than £10 million of investment in regeneration, which will include the renovation of the Grade 2 listed Crown Court, and the boosting of skills in the area. An additional £3.25 million will support the creation of 200 high-skilled jobs, whilst culture in the city will be boosted by £1.5 million for the Hepworth art gallery, a new public art route, and a new community sector hub.
Further North, in the Scottish Borders, local development is being supported by more than £11 million. This will see hotel developments, the purchasing of business units in Eyemouth, and a pot of funding for the development of brownfield land in Hawick. The bus network will also benefit from £2.3 million, whilst £6 million will contribute to the refurbishment and retrofitting of buildings, youth services, and village halls in the region.
The final area that will benefit from the Levelling Up Partnerships is Tendring which, subject to approval by the local Cabinet, will see measures covering the redevelopment of Clacton Leisure Centre – worth £3 million – providing sport facilities and integrated health and wellbeing services for communities. An urgent treatment centre and primary care facility will also be delivered at Clacton Hospital, being unlocked by £2 million, whilst other interventions will benefit from a further £2.5 million.
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