Nottingham regeneration to go ahead despite funding rejection

The regeneration of a key area in Nottingham will continue despite a failed second attempt at securing government funding for the project.

Nottingham City Council had applied for three grants from the government’s Levelling Up fund but found out recently that all three bids had failed.

The council leader has promised citizens that work on the schemes will still go ahead despite funding challenges, with plans to work with partners to acquire investment.

Cllr Mellen said: ‘All three Nottingham bids were very strong and clearly aligned to what the Levelling Up Fund is meant to be about. So it’s a big disappointment that all of them have been turned down for Levelling Up funding, which Nottingham so clearly needs.

‘There has been huge support for the exciting new vision for Broad Marsh we unveiled just over a year ago which was based on feedback received from the Big Conversation, the largest public engagement exercise we had ever undertaken.

‘Work on the Green Heart, which was a key element of the vision and something many people wanted to see, will still get underway this year using national funding we have already secured. We will continue our public realm improvements in the area, which are also funded from a different Government pot, as well as completing the fit-out of the new Central Library later this year.’

Nottingham had applied for a £20m grant to demolish the old Broadmarsh shopping centre and to reform the site into a theatre space.

A £20m bid was to revitalise Bulwell town centre with a new promenade with enhanced green spaces, restored heritage buildings and better connectivity between Bulwell Bogs, the tram stop, bus station, market place and high streets.

The council also made an application for a £17m grant to renovate and transform heritage warehouse buildings in the Island Quarter into a theatre, creative and digital studio space and to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Photo by Ben Spray