Norfolk leaders worry they're 'passed over' after missing out on Levelling Up funding
Only two areas in Norfolk secured funding
Leaders in North Norfolk say they're worried the area is being 'passed over' for government funding - after they failed in their bid for more than £19m in Levelling up cash.
King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth are getting a combined £45m from ministers to help with regeneration efforts - but the North of the county wasn't included in yesterday's announcement.
The District Council says its 'disappointed' not to be picked - the cash would have gone towards improving open spaces in Cromer and a new sports facility in Fakenham.
Tim Adams, Leader of the Council said: “As a Council we were disappointed that our Levelling Up bids were rejected, despite the local importance, the strong support of our residents and having secured the support of the District’s two MPs.
"In North Norfolk, it is our concern the area is being passed over for central government funding, despite being identified as a Priority area for funding.
"We are inviting feedback from the Department of Housing, Levelling Up and Communities as to why similar schemes with a lower priority status have been awarded funding and North Norfolk has been turned down.”
Steve Blatch, Chief Executive, said: “It is disappointing that the two bids submitted by the District Council on behalf of local communities and which secured strong community support have not been successful through this round of the Levelling Up programme.
"As a Council we need to understand why our projects were not deemed worthy of support at this time, but initial analysis suggests that the vast majority of projects approved through this round were in locations with much larger populations than our projects in North Norfolk and we need to understand if the rural nature and dispersed population of our district is a feature in perhaps limiting the outcomes which can be achieved by our proposals relative to other areas.”
Norwich
There is also disappointment in City Hall, after Norwich lost out on two multi-million pound bids to transform the city.
The 'Levelling Up' money would have been used for two city projects, including the £5.9m radical redesign of Guildhall Hill and the surrounding area, creating a “public space destination” and relocating the taxi rank.
The other project would have involved the £8.5m regeneration of Sloughbottom Park, including a new 3G football pitch and makeover for the pavilion.
Alan Waters the leader of Norwich City Council, said: “It’s very disappointing, these are two really good schemes but the fund was highly oversubscribed so there is a lot of disappointment.
“I’m pleased for Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn, it’s good money is coming to Norfolk.
“On the positive side, we have two proposals which a lot of work has gone into. We will seek to make progress with those bids in the future.”