Four towns in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have been announced as being in line for a multi-million-pound cash boost a part of the Government’s Towns Fund.
Newark (£25m), Clay Cross (£24.1m), Staveley (£25.2m) and Mansfield (£12.3m) have all made the list on 100 places invited to develop proposals for the fund.
The £3.6 billion Towns Fund aims to support places with proud industrial and economic heritage that have not always benefited from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas and both resorts have been identified to benefit through the scheme.
D2N2 CEO, Sajeeda Rose, said: “D2N2 is a key part of the Midlands economy, and I’m pleased to see governments latest commitment to invest within our region. The funding will help produce stronger towns which will support wider economic growth across the region leading to more productive, prosperous, and inclusive communities.”
Newark
The £25m funding will support nine catalyst projects for the regeneration of the town, with further projects and aspirations spanning the next 30 years.
Councillor David Lloyd, Co-Chair of the Newark Towns Fund Board and Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am delighted the Government has acknowledged the scale, ambition, span and transformative nature of the proposals, which have been developed through the Towns Board with input from a whole range of businesses, education, community, and Government partners following public consultation.
“The plans directly address Newark’s visible and unseen challenges and will create opportunities not only for current and future generations of Newark residents and businesses, but beyond the town’s boundaries given the impact of the projects and partners involved.
“The proposals put forward to the Government have been prepared by our local businesses, providing local solutions that not only address Newark’s challenges and resident’s needs but go well beyond them. Newark will become a destination of choice where people want to live, work and visit. Work had already begun in anticipation of this announcement and will now continue at pace.”
Clay Cross
The £24.1m funding means the town can now look forward to many regeneration projects being started with demolition of old derelict buildings and exciting new proposals such as a new innovative leisure facility to begin.
North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Carolyn Renwick said: “What an incredible and proud moment this is for Clay Cross and North East Derbyshire. To be awarded the full sum we asked for – over £24 million pounds will mean Clay Cross will be an exciting hub of redevelopment, opportunity and prosperity for years to come.
“With many exciting projects planned – and wanted by the residents, this opportunity will really put Clay Cross on the map, with a brand new leisure centre set to be started on, retention and re-use of historic buildings and assets and the demolition of the derelict sites, this is an exciting time for all.
“The jobs that will be created during the construction phase will follow on to a transformation of the town, with opportunities for investment from businesses to come and join the town – with employment opportunities here for this and generations to come.”
Mansfield
Mansfield District Council submitted a bid for £26m in October 2020, which comprises representatives from a wide range of partner organisations and will receive £12.3m to kick-start regeneration in the local economy
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “While the council and Place Board are disappointed not to have received the full amount, we are pleased to hear that up to £12.3m is on the way to Mansfield.
“This will inject much-needed cash into the district and help to kick-start regeneration in the local economy at a very crucial time as we emerge from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. It will also encourage further investment to help make Mansfield a destination of choice for living, working and learning.”
Staveley
The £25.2m funding will be spent over a five-year period on a range of projects that will drive long term economic growth, offer quality skills and employment opportunities and improve the green spaces and canal network around Staveley.
Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, added: “Today’s announcement is tremendous news for our borough, and for the communities of Staveley who are set to benefit from this sizeable investment in a range of exciting projects and programmes.
“This is a golden opportunity which paves the way for this former mining community – which has often been overlooked by previous national funding programmes – to realise its full potential both now and in the future.
“I would like to thank all of the partners who have worked on the Town Deal over the last year. Staveley is a very special place with a rich history and wonderful assets. Through this funding, we will look to harness the town’s great potential through re-vitalising the high street, delivering new investment and much-needed jobs, supporting local people to reach their full potential and exciting the interest of new visitors to the place.”
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