Round 2 of the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund may have been overshadowed by how the funding has been allocated, the areas and projects that have received grants, and what is being called ‘Seatbeltgate’, but a 3rd Round of the Fund is planned, and this can result in significant investment in local infrastructure.
The overarching aim of the Levelling Up Fund is to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The £4.8 billion fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets. The Fund is expected to run until 2024/25.
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (NI), unitary authorities (including metropolitan borough councils), London borough councils and district councils in two tier areas in England were invited to submit bids for the second round of the Levelling Up Fund which was announced in the 2022 Spring Statement.
On Thursday 19th January 2023, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities released details of more than 100 projects that will receive a share of £2.1billion of Levelling Up funding from Round 2 of the programme.
The full press release, which includes a list of all successful bids, can be found on the GOV.UK website:
Dorset Council received a grant of £19.5 million towards the Weymouth Waterside Regeneration project. The grant is for enabling works at Weymouth harbour side, to pave the way for nearly 400 new homes and a new leisure-led waterfront complex