Five areas agree Levelling Up Partnerships

Five areas in England and Scotland have agreed the details of their Levelling Up Partnerships with the UK Government.

Boston, Stoke-on-Trent, Wakefield, the Scottish Borders and Tendring had previously been announced as areas which would receive a Levelling Up Partnership to support regeneration.

£13 million will be invested in Boston to spend on regeneration and improving access to community sports facilities. This includes £7m for Boston Leisure Centre and £3.2m to complete Boston United’s community sports complex which supports young people and will include 30 affordable homes.

Stoke-on-Trent is to receive around £6.5 million to regenerate the historic and heritage buildings. £2.5m will be spent on improvinh recreational facilities and create a new wellbeing campus.

In Wakefield, £10 million will be invested to support regeneration and boost skills. This includes renovating the Grade II listed Crown Court.

In the Scottish Borders, there will be ver £11m to support local economic development, including hotel development in Galashiels, Crook Inn Bunkhouse. £2.3m will support the bus network, and £6m will support refurbishment and retrofitting of buildings, youth services and village halls.

Finally, subject to local cabinet approval, Tendring’s Levelling Up Partnership will likely include measures such as £3m to redevelop Clacton Leisure Centre to provide sports facilities and integrated health and wellbeing services,  £2m to unlock the delivery of an urgent treatment centre and primary care facility at Clacton Hospital, and £2.5m to provide a new walking route across Tudor Fields.

All the partnerships will be subject to business case.