£20 million regeneration funding given to Hull
It'll help focus training workers for the green energy sector
Plans to redevelop disused land on the banks of the River Hull has been backed with £10m as part of Government levelling up funding for the city.
The £20m Government funding package is also set to see investment in local training facilities and colleges with a focus on training workers for the green energy sector.
Hull City Council Leader Cllr Mike Ross the funding would create opportunities and help build new homes, leisure and business sites.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the tailored funding programmes would allow areas including Hull to overcome their unique challenges and seize opportunities.
The funding comes as part of the Levelling Up Partnership agreed between the council and the Government earlier this year.
Sandwell in the West Midlands has also benefited from the latest batch of Government funding.
And it follows council approval of plans to redevelop the East Bank site, between the Myton and Drypool bridges, along with two other sites.
Plans for the River Hull site, dubbed the East Bank Urban Village, could see as many as 800 homes built along with a promenade, children’s play areas and family spaces.
The approval of the plans and now the Government funding marks the revival of long-running efforts to bring disused industrial site back into use.
The 2007-8 financial crisis and the recession that followed killed off a £100m project proposed at the time for the site, known as The Boom.
All that was built of the proposed residential and commercial scheme was a Premier Inn hotel and the Scale Lane footbridge.
Cllr Ross said the new funding for the site would help with council efforts to improve local neighbourhoods.
The council leader said: “This funding will enable the council and partners to provide opportunities across the city.
“There will be a focus on a variety of areas, including job creation and training, with a particular impetus on preparing people for working in our growing green energy sector.
“Other target areas are improving neighbourhoods, developing sites for new homes, leisure and business uses and supporting small businesses.
“The council would like to thank partners and stakeholders for their support throughout this partnership.”
Mr Gove said the Levelling Up Partnerships were about delivering long term solutions for local areas.
The secretary of state said: “I’m thrilled to be announcing the first two Levelling Up Partnerships in Sandwell and Hull today backed by £40m of government funding.
“No matter where you live in the UK, everyone should be given the chance to stay local, but go far.”