South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to deliver £42.8m Levelling Up Bids thanks to Government funding

Each of the Partnership's sovereign councils put together ambitious and transformational projects which will bring inward investment to the region, improve the health and wellbeing of residents, create new jobs and support the economy. with an impact that would be lasting for generations.

By collaborating with partners, the Partnership has achieved schemes which will have a lasting impact in South Holland, Boston and East Lindsey for generations to come.

The Levelling Up Fund is specifically designed to secure capital investment in infrastructure that has the potential to improve lives and give people pride in their communities. The fund being one component of the Government 'Levelling Up' ambition.

In South Holland:

• £20million awarded for the Castle Sports Complex site in Spalding to help transform health and wellbeing in South Holland. The ambitious plans include proposals for a new 3G floodlit football pitch, a changing pavilion, a multi-use games area, three new swimming pool facilities including a large pool as well as community rooms and space dedicated for use to provide a health and wellbeing hub and Extra Care housing scheme for the district's older residents.

In Boston:

• £14.8m to kick-start regeneration for Boston's Rosegath Square masterplan, forming part of PE21 and secure further investment to the heart of the town centre. It includes a new public park, works to convert Crown House to provide a mix of residential and other uses and demolishing the existing B&M building. The aim is to change the character and appearance of this area while creating new opportunities.

In East Lindsey:

• £8m awarded to provide a financially stable future for three at risk heritage sites in Spilsby and Alford. Spilsby Sessions House will be supported to bring the building back into use as a theatre and as a community-owned space, as well as the creation of a new visitor attraction. A permanent function space is to be created at Alford Manor House and work will see Alford Windmill restored and reopen as a major attraction, including a new visitor experience, café and shop.

Cllr Nick Worth, Deputy Leader of South Holland District Council, said: "The Government's support for all our Levelling Up bids will bring significant sums of money to South and East Lincolnshire to not only create new things to do, but make people healthier and happier where they live.

"Spalding is to receive the highest award allocation following a forward-thinking bid, centred on improving lives. That ambition has been supported at the highest level and I'm happy for our residents as the process now starts in planning the work to make these new opportunities a reality."

Cllr Paul Skinner, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: "The Levelling Up funding announcement is a celebration for the Partnership and shows what can be achieved for all our communities by working collaboratively.

"The scheme for Boston will have a significant impact on the town centre and be the catalyst for attracting new inward investment, creating jobs as well as installing pride in our community. The effects will be long lasting, and I am extremely pleased the Government is supporting our vision to bring positive change to our town centre."

Cllr Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council, said: "This is a momentous occasion for the Partnership. Collaboratively, we have worked with partners to deliver bids which are ambitious and life-changing for each of our communities and now we have the funding from Government to start making the plans which will see our market towns thrive even more.

"In East Lindsey, the projects will bring new opportunities to our market towns, support the Lincolnshire Wolds economy, drive inward investment and complements the investments being made on the Lincolnshire coast through the Town Deal."

With funding secured for each district, the next steps will now begin to get the projects planned in collaboration with partners.

20 January 2023