Update, July 1:
Following an intensive period of programme and project development, applications are due to be submitted in July 2022 to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for a new metro link between Newquay and Falmouth and town centre improvements in Helston.
TRANSPORT: The Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM) project will improve the service between Newquay and Falmouth providing a sustainable transport corridor through the middle of the Cornwall, connecting some of Cornwall’s most deprived communities to employment, education (including higher education and university), and key services, as well as supporting key areas of growth.
HELSTON: Supporting town regeneration and place shaping priorities including transport and sustainable connectivity, community and creative assets and infrastructure, workspace, leisure facilities and public realm.
In May, Cornwall Council confirmed it was beginning the process to submit four bids for LUF against the current application opportunity. Since then, further guidance was received from Government that clarified the context for Culture bids and the decision was taken not to progress the opportunity to bid. Additionally, significant development work on the St Austell and Newquay constituency bid identified a number of key schemes that require further development before they are ready for submission. This project development will now be undertaken in anticipation of subsequent rounds of Levelling Up Fund in 2023.
Each parliamentary constituency will only have one chance to submit a bid for the LUF, and those areas not included in these initial applications will be prioritised in the future. This funding is separate to the £132 million of Shared Prosperity Funding which will be considered by Cabinet later this month. The council will be trying to maximise investment in order to deliver the Government’s Levelling Up agenda. The Council will be working with other communities across Cornwall on developing future investment opportunities for both the LUF and SPF.
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A new metro link between Newquay and Falmouth, town centre improvements for St Austell and Helston, and the construction of the Stadium for Cornwall are the projects set to benefit from the first tranche of Levelling Up Funding (LUF) in Cornwall.
The bids will face stiff national competition but the council has been invited to submit applications for works which fit the criteria guidance issued by the Government, and which can be ready to start within the strict timeframe set.
Based on those requirements, four projects have been identified. They are:
- TRANSPORT: The Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM) project will improve the service between Newquay and Falmouth providing a sustainable transport corridor through the middle of the Cornwall, connecting some of Cornwall’s most deprived communities to employment, education (including higher education and university), and key services, as well as supporting key areas of growth.
- CULTURE: The project to construct a Stadium for Cornwall will build a community and professional sports facility at Threemilestone and will be led by the Stadium partners, including Truro and Penwith College. The stadium project is the only cultural project in a position to be in a position to move forward in the timeframe set by the guidance.
- ST AUSTELL: As a priority place for levelling up and town revitalisation as identified by the CC Town vitality programme, development of programme of investment to address key need and opportunity.
- HELSTON: Supporting advanced development of town regeneration and place shaping priorities including transport, community assets and public realm.
Each parliamentary constituency will only be allowed one successful application for the LUF, and those areas not included in these initial applications will be prioritised in the future.
Helston town centre
This funding is separate to the £123 million of Shared Prosperity Funding announced last week for Cornwall, and the council will be trying to maximise investment in order to deliver the Government’s Levelling Up agenda.
Work to identify projects has already begun and the Council will be working with other communities across Cornwall on developing future investment opportunities for both the LUF and SPF.
Cllr Stephen Rushworth, Cornwall Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for the economy, said: “I am delighted we are submitting these initial applications for projects that will directly benefit so many of our residents.
“This is just the beginning, with further LUF funding and Shared Prosperity Funding also due. When we were elected, we promised we would work to create a Cornwall where people can start well, live well and age well, and this is a very real step in the right direction.
“I look forward to continuing to work with our communities to identify other projects that will make a real difference to the everyday lives of people across Cornwall.”
