MP welcomes £40 million levelling up boost for East Sussex

The major regeneration plans confirmed by the government yesterday (25/03/24) will provide each area with £20 million from its Levelling Up Partnerships programme – a £480 million initiative providing targeted cash and bespoke regeneration for 20 areas in England and four places in Scotland that are most in need of levelling up.

The total £40 million funding will also help Hastings and Rother to revamp health and leisure services for residents, while investing in opportunities that unlock new jobs and skills so people can access higher-paid roles.

Hastings and Rye MP, Sally-Ann Hart said: “I have been involved in the discussions about which projects will benefit from this funding and It is great to see £40 million of levelling up funding coming to Hastings and Rother. The urgent housing situation in Hastings is an acute barrier to levelling up, but if HBC had a housing strategy and up to date local plan, it would not have needed to use LU funding for affordable housing and temporary accommodation.

“I was keen that the western side of Rother was not overlooked so it is great to see funding for specific projects in Camber and Rye, as well as joint projects across Hastings and Rother, especially as regards improving skills provision. The investment into Hollington Youth Hub is very welcome indeed.

“Finally, having campaigned hard to complete Queensway Gateway, it is great to secure funding to complete this long overdue road infrastructure which will help residents and businesses alike level-up.”

Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young said: “These new Levelling Up Partnerships worth £40 million are fantastic news for the people of Hastings and Rother - and another important step in our work to accelerate regeneration and transform lives in this special part of the country.

“This money builds on the millions of pounds we’ve already invested to breathe new life into the area – restoring pride in our towns and creating new opportunities for local people.

“We are working closely with local leaders including East Sussex County Council as part of our plans to level up East Sussex, making sure residents and families reap the rewards of new and improved health services, refurbished community hubs and revamped high streets.”

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has worked closely with the local councils to identify their priority projects. The two £20 million Levelling Up Partnerships confirmed for Hastings and Rother will invest:

• Over £13 million to provide more affordable housing in Hastings, plus £9 million to build a brand-new King Offa Leisure Centre in Bexhill to release the old site and build over 50 much-needed homes.
• £5 million to build a new Barnhorn Green Health in Bexhill to improve access to healthcare, alongside £70,000 to make improvements to Sidley Family Hub so parents and children can access the support they need.
• £3.4 million to transform the Hollington Youth Hub, offering a wide range of health and wellbeing services in partnership with the local NHS.
• £2.5 million to complete the Queensway Gateway Road, helping to unlock jobs, reduce congestion and ensure improved connectivity in the Bexhill-Hastings Growth Corridor.
• £2.1 million to improve existing community facilities, including over £1 million to build a new Bexhill Community Hub.
• £1.7 million to support the tourist economy in Rother, including further investment in Camber Welcome Centre and new signage for local vineyard businesses.
• £1 million for projects to improve skills across both Hastings and Rother so residents are equipped to gain well-paid jobs.
• £818,000 for the development of the Project Art Works’ premise, ensuring greater arts access for people with disabilities.
• £650,000 to improve energy efficiency and long-term sustainability of Rye leisure facilities.
• £260,000 to support high street improvements in Hastings, Bexhill, Rye and Battle.
• £100,000 for improvements to the existing Ore Health Centre, making sure services are more accessible to local residents.

These new plans build on the significant investment already underway in these two areas, with Hastings receiving nearly £24 million from the Towns Fund and £1 million UK Shared Prosperity Fund, while Rother benefits from over £19 million from the Levelling Up Fund. Hastings and Bexhill will also see improvements from £20 million each as part of the Long-Term Plan for Towns.

Hastings Borough Council leader, Cllr Julia Hilton said: “We are really pleased that Hastings has been given this funding to help us address the housing crisis we have in our town.

“The funding means we are able to expand our housing acquisition programme and also make sure that a site earmarked for affordable housing can be built to our very high energy efficient specification and under our control. Funding for other partner projects across the town including skills, health, culture and better youth provision is also very welcome.”

Rother District Council leader, Cllr Doug Oliver said: “Every single person should have the same opportunities in life, regardless of where they live but we know that, in Rother, there are barriers that limit possibilities for some people.

“This latest funding as part of the Government’s Levelling Up Partnerships programme is an amazing investment for our district and will enable us and our partners to make a real difference to people’s lives and futures. We face challenges in Rother unique to us and it’s important that the solutions come from local people and organisations that have the best understanding of the situation.”

East Sussex County Council leader, Cllr Keith Glazier said: “We welcome this funding which will support a range of important community and infrastructure projects that will help improve the lives and opportunities open to those people living in Hastings and Rother.

“These are two areas that have suffered from significant economic and social pressures not experienced in other parts of the south east, and these investments will go some way to breaking down barriers and tackling the challenges they face.”

The £480 million Levelling Up Partnerships programme was announced in the Chancellor’s 2023 Spring Budget and DLUHC has since been rolling out partnerships to each of the 20 areas in England and four locations in Scotland, with funding already confirmed for Hull, Sandwell, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, Mansfield, Blackburn and Bassetlaw.

The government will continue to work with the remaining Levelling Up Partnership areas and will be announcing details of their regeneration packages over the next 12 months. All payments are made subject to business case approval.