East Sussex projects given share of £2bn levelling up fund
The recipients include improvements in Bexhill and Sidley
Projects across East Sussex have been given a share of multi-million-pound funding from the Government as part of its levelling up agenda.
The Government has announced £2 billion for more than 100 projects across the UK.
Among the projects earmarked for funding is Bexhill's De La Warr Pavilion.
Just under £19.2 million has been granted to Rother District Council to improve access to the site, as well as to create a new community hub in Sidley.
The proposed development includes improved accessibility for audiences, new auditorium technical and other learning facilities, the redevelopment of the outdoor community spaces, and new environmental systems to help meet net carbon neutral ambitions.
The proposed community hub at Sidley Recreation Ground will connect Sidley with the De La Warr Pavilion and the town centre, providing increased opportunities for residents to develop their skills and access education and employment.
Cllr Doug Oliver, leader of Rother District Council, said:
"We are thrilled to have been awarded government funding to level up community, creativity and skills in Rother.
"This investment gives us the opportunity to harness the iconic De La Warr Pavilion, providing learning and skills opportunities as well as creating new jobs.
"It will also enable us to work with Heart of Sidley (Big Local) to develop a much-needed community and recreation facility in the heart of Sidley, which will support the local community.
"The funding will be transformative for our communities."
However, one West Sussex council leader has hit out at the Government after the county missed out on funding.
Crawley Borough Council's Labour leader Michael Jones has 'badly let down' his borough by not awarding money to any projects there.
Other projects getting a share of the £2bn
Among the projects earmarked for funding is the Eden Project North in Morecambe, which received £50 million for the regeneration project designed to transform the Lancashire town's seafront.
The Cardiff Crossrail plan was also allocated £50 million, while the department said that a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle in the Shetlands would get nearly £27 million.
The Government said that £2.1 billion in funding had been split between £672 million to develop better transport links, £821 million for community regeneration, and £594 million to go towards restoring local heritage sites.
The announcement of the funding comes alongside the launch of anew interactive map, which shows which projects in your area have received funding.
Rishi Sunak reiterates his commitment to levelling up
The Department for Levelling Up promised that the latest round of levelling up funding would deliver much-needed economic growth and new jobs to communities across the country, as the Prime Minister promised to “build a future of optimism”.
Mr Sunak said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.
“That’s why we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom.
“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”
The levelling up vision was one pioneered by former prime minister Boris Johnson, who promised to “level up” towns and communities across the UK.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the support would see the Government “firing the start gun” on a range of projects.
He said: “This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride. We are delivering on the people’s priorities, levelling up across the UK to ensure that no matter where you are from, you can go as far as your talents will take you.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt called it a “major down payment on local jobs, growth and regeneration”, with confirmation too of a further round of the levelling up fund.