The continued development of Nottingham's Broad Marsh and a major new £40 million road are among the projects which could be coming to Nottinghamshire as councils await crucial funding decisions this month. All of Nottinghamshire's local authorities made bids last summer to receive money from the second round of the Government's levelling up fund.
The fund was one of several initiatives announced by the Government as part of its stated ambition when elected in 2019 to 'level up' the UK's deprived areas. Successful councils in the first round of the levelling up fund, which the Government has committed £4.8 billion to altogether, were announced in December 2021.
Newark and Sherwood was the only successful council during the first round. A decision on the second round was initially due in October, but this had to be put back after the deadline to apply was extended.
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Rishi Sunak then promised decisions would be announced by the end of this year when he took over as Prime Minister. But it was then confirmed that this decision had been delayed again.
Councils are now due to hear back by the end of January. On the delay to the decision, a Government spokesperson said: "With so many high-quality applications, we want to take the time to carefully consider the bids to allocate additional funds, meaning up to £2.1 billion will be granted to successful bids in this round. We appreciate the work that bidders have put into the applications and we thank them for their patience." Below are all of the bids that have been made in Nottinghamshire ahead of this month's decision.
Nottingham City Council - £57 million
Nottingham City Council made a bid for £57 million, with the money going towards three projects if the authority is successful. The major element of the city council's bid was the continued redevelopment of the Broad Marsh, with £20 million of its bid centred around the site of the derelict former shopping centre.
This money would go towards developing the 'Green Heart' element of the new Broad Marsh, providing a green space in the city centre. The second element of the city council bid would see £20 million going towards Bulwell.
The money would see improvements being made to the market place, heritage buildings being restored and a new Bulwell Promenade being created. £17 million was also proposed to go towards the continued development of Nottingham's Island Quarter.
David Mellen, the Labour leader of Nottingham City Council, said at the time that the Broad Marsh is perhaps "the most significant development site in the country right now." Councillor Mellen also said that the Bulwell element of the bid would "enhance some of the key elements that make the town special."
Nottinghamshire County Council - £40 million
Nottinghamshire County Council's bid focuses on a major development in Toton which will see a major new link road to the A52 being built. The £40 million would all go towards the new road, which would link the A52 to Toton Lane via a new, single-carriageway spine road running through the Baulk Lane area, accessed via a sliproad off Brian Clough Way.
The road would help to serve the wider Toton and Chetwynd project, which will see the building of thousands of homes and a new development hub being built in the area. Councillor Keith Girling, the chairman of the Economic Development and Asset Management Committee, said of the bid: "If we are successful there will be spades in the ground around 2024 and finished by 2026, so quite a short time period for it to all happen really."
Newark and Sherwood - £20 million
Newark and Sherwood was the only Nottinghamshire district to have been successful when the first round of levelling up money was announced in December 2021. The £20 million it received went towards completing the Southern Link Road, connecting the A46 at Farndon to the A1 at Balderton.
The council is now bidding again for £20 million, which this time will go on projects including the development of business space at the disused Clipstone Holdings site and improvements to Ollerton town centre. The relocation of Ollerton's library and new sports facilities in Clipstone are also among the projects that the money would be spent on.
Mansfield District Council – £20 million
Mansfield District Council also submitted a bid for £20 million. Its plans for the money included moving its services away from its current Civic Centre headquarters.
They would instead be based in a new public sector hub on Stockwell Gate and Queen Street. The hub would come about from a transformation of the former Beales department store.
Gedling Borough Council – £50 million
Major improvements to Arnold's town centre are on the cards if Gedling Borough Council is successful in its £50 million bid. A new leisure centre and theatre are planned, as well as a new library and improved access from Front Street to High Street.
Councillor John Clarke, the Labour leader of the council, said: "Residents in Arnold have told us that the physical appearance of the area and variety of shops is an issue. This money would be used to improve those areas and create a real buzz in the town centre."
Broxtowe Borough Council – £36 million
Broxtowe Borough Council's bid is made up of £20 million for Eastwood and £16 million for Kimberley. The Eastwood projects would include a new health and wellbeing hub, swimming pool, community hub and cycle network.
Town centre enhancements, new industrial units and improvements to the cycle network would be the projects in Kimberley that money was spent on. Councillor Milan Radulovic, the Labour leader of the council, said: "With its proximity to the M1 and existing infrastructure, Kimberley has so much potential and if we are successful, it will benefit from the biggest investment it has experienced in years."
Bassetlaw District Council – £20 million
The redevelopment of its shopping centre and a new bridge are among the projects that could come to Worksop if Bassetlaw District Council's £20 million bid is successful. The authority says the redeveloped Priory Shopping Centre would include tenpin bowling, an indoor soft play facility, a trampoline park and a café.
A new towpath and moorings would also be created along the Chesterfield Canal, as well as a new bridge linking to the north of the town. Brendan Clarke-Smith, Bassetlaw's Conservative MP, said: "The 'Levelling Up Fund' provides Worksop with an opportunity to start the process of regenerating our town centre, to bring new life into empty units and to restore pride in a once thriving high street."
Ashfield District Council – £11 million
Ashfield District Council's £11 million bid centres on Hucknall, with projects including the improvement of shopfronts and the expansion of outdoor markets. Transport improvements would also be made in the town, a new visitor experience would be created at the St Mary Magdalene Church and new 3G sports pitches would be installed.
Councillor Matthew Relf, Executive Lead Member for Regeneration, said: "Hucknall town centre has the potential to be the beating heart of the district and this bid capitalises on this. We aim to improve the access into the town to attract more visitors, and businesses to reinvigorate the town centre. The cultural and heritage enhancements will celebrate Hucknall’s rich heritage and provide new opportunities for people to learn about this history."
Rushcliffe Borough Council
Rushcliffe Borough Council says it has submitted a bid to improve cycling and walking routes into the Lady Bay area. Connectivity from Nottingham into West Bridgford would also be improved under the council's plans, though it is not clear how much money the authority has bid for.
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