Budget announcement sees further £20 million pledged to Harlow regeneration
The announcement as part of the government's spring budget by the Chancellor of the Exchequer follows the almost £44 million in funding already received by the local council over the past few years
In the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement of the government’s spring budget on March 6, it was revealed that an Essex authority would receive a £20 million funding boost for the regeneration of its town centre.
Harlow District Council is one of 40 local authorities across the UK which will be granted the endowment-style funding under the Long-Term Plan for Towns, headed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Conservative-run Harlow has already been the recipient of almost £44 million in investments from the Levelling Up and Towns funds over the last two years. In a statement issued following Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s presentation of the budget, Harlow MP Robert Halfon said: “I work hard everyday for our town to ensure we secure all the funding that we need to build an even better Harlow. This is another major boost to make our streets safer and deliver the rebuilding of the town centre.
“Under this Conservative government, Harlow has had investment like never before, truly worth hundreds of millions… we are regenerating our town for our residents; building an even better Harlow, tackling anti-social behaviour and making it a great place to live, work and grow up.”
Harlow Council’s leader, Councillor Dan Swords (Con., Bush Fair) said that today’s announcement offers “yet more proof” that the Conservative administration is meeting its promise to “completely rebuild the town centre” after “decades of Harlow Labour letting our town down”.
Demolition works have already commenced, and proposals for a new £33.5 million arts and culture quarter in the town centre are due to be considered this month. As well as a new public square, live performance venue and 47 one and two-bedroom apartments, plans include a major upgrade to the Playhouse Theatre, with construction to begin as early as this autumn if approved by the council.
Speaking previously on plans to improve the town centre, Cllr Swords said: “We’re kicking off 2024 as we mean to go on to rebuild our town and put the heart back into Harlow town centre. This will be the year that the regeneration of Harlow town centre finally starts.”