Two more Newcastle neighbourhoods are each to receive £20mn funding under the government’s “Pride in Place” programme to support projects chosen by local people to breathe new life into their communities.
Fawdon South and Throckley & Newburn join Elswick South and Walker North among the total of 284 neighbourhoods across the UK receiving funding over ten years under the £5 billion scheme. Another 95 are getting short-term capital funding under the related Impact Fund.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the money would support locally-led solutions shaped by the people who know their areas best – not imposed from Whitehall.
The Ministry added: “From saving youth centres and repairing playgrounds, to bringing empty buildings back into community use and expanding affordable after‑school activities, the Pride in Place programme has been designed to deliver improvements that matter to residents. In many areas, neighbours are coming together to protect vital local services and create new spaces that bring people together.
“The 40 new neighbourhoods…join the 244 already taking part, bringing the total to 284 communities across the UK where local people are deciding how investment is used in their area.
“As funding now flows to the first communities, work is getting under way across the country to turn plans into action and deliver change people can see in their streets, town centres and shared spaces.”
Sense of belonging
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “Across the country, people step outside their front door and feel like there is nothing for them: no sense of belonging, no investment in their area, no feeling that anyone is listening.
“Pride in Place backs these people and puts the tools and the money directly in their hands to change that, because strong communities aren’t built for people, they’re built by them.
“These new neighbourhoods are joining a movement that is bringing people closer together, and this government is backing them to do it.”
Playgrounds
Separately, ten of the region’s 12 local authorities are among 66 throughout England sharing £18mn Pride of Place funding for new or upgraded playgrounds, with only Newcastle and Gateshead omitted. The MHCLG said places with the highest income deprivation affecting children and the poorest access to play were chosen to ensure that money goes to places that need it most.
This report is based on MHCLG press releases.
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