£1.5 billion to restore neighbourhoods

£1.5 billion is to be allocated to neighbourhoods across the country, as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods.

High streets are set to be revived, community hubs saved and public services transformed.

75 areas are set to receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade through the plan, which is designed to transform left behind areas, by unleashing their full potential by investing in delivering improved vital community services such as education, health and employment.

Transformation is designed to be holistic, long-term and sustainable to deliver meaningful change in the day-to-day lives of local people.

Deputy prime minister and secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, Angela Rayner said: “For years, too many neighbourhoods have been starved of investment, despite their potential to thrive and grow. Communities across the UK have so much to offer – rich cultural capital, unique heritage but most of all, an understanding of their own neighbourhood.

“We will do things differently, our fully funded Plan for Neighbourhoods puts local people in the driving seat of their potential, having control of where the Whitehall cash goes – what issues they want to tackle, where they want to regenerate and what growth they want turbocharge.”

In each area, a new 'Neighbourhood Board' will be set up to bring together residents, local businesses, and grassroots campaigners to draw up and implement a new vision for their neighbourhood.

Minister for local growth and building safety, Alex Norris said: “When our local neighbourhoods thrive, the rest of the country thrives too. That’s why we are empowering communities to take control of their futures and create the regeneration and growth they want to see.

“Our Plan for Neighbourhoods we will deliver long-term funding that will bolster that inner community spirit in us all and relight the fires in corners of the UK that have for too long been left fighting for survival.  

“This, along with our ambitious reforms to streamline the planning system, devolve powers and strengthen workers’ rights, will help get places and people thriving once again.”