DOVERCOURT town centre has been awarded £6.7million from the Government following a last-ditch plea for levelling-up cash.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced during his Budget speech that 16 further awards had been made from the Levelling Up Fund - and these include a successful bid for Dovercourt.
The funding will pay for a refurbished library and new skills centre, new social housing at the Milton Road car park, and improvements along Kingsway from the station plaza to Marine Parade, including the High Street junction.
Tendring Council had been told earlier this year that its proposals for funding had failed.
But earlier this week, Harwich MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said he made a last-ditch pre-budget plea to the Chancellor for £6.7million of levelling up funds for the town.
“I'm absolutely over the moon - it's a terrific boost for Dovercourt," he said.
"I always knew we deserved it and it will be a significant and visible improvement with benefits for skills and housing as well as economic growth for Harwich and Dovercourt.
"I was disappointed we missed out last time. We only missed it by a whisker.
"Now we have got it over the line. Thanks to Essex County Council and to Tendring Council for putting so much work behind this application.”
Harwich mayor Ivan Henderson added: "We were very disappointed when this excellent scheme was rejected and felt it was wrong that needy areas had to compete with each other for funding.
"It is extremely good news that Dovercourt's needs have now been recognised and we congratulate the officers at Tendring Council for their excellent work in putting the bid together."
In the Budget it was also announced that Tendring was one of 20 areas to be part of new Levelling Up Partnerships, providing more than £400million across the next two years.
Lee Heley, Tendring Council's corporate director for place and economy, said the funding would complement the council’s existing investment in developing the former Starlings site to provide a car park, public toilets and event space.
“This funding will allow major improvements across Dovercourt town centre, providing both better facilities for local residents and a welcoming public realm for visitors coming to the area,” Mr Heley said.
“Now we have secured funding for these initiatives we look forward to developing detailed plans to engage with the local community on as part of the project process.”
Tendring Council leader Neil Stock added that he was delighted by the news.
"This will transform this part of Dovercourt - we will have some really nice homes and the project will lift the whole area up," he said.
"Parts of Dovercourt are a little bit sad and dated and they need that positivity and excitement.
"Harwich and Dovercourt are on the up."
Earlier this year, Tendring Council was successful in its bid for £20million to create a new library and learning space, café, a community and commercial building and 28 homes, centred on Carnarvon House, Clacton.
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