Council calls for information on £20m funding

Regeneration schemes are being delayed by a hold-up in £20m of government funding, a council has claimed.

Newark and Sherwood District Council was awarded £20m in November 2023 as part of the then-Conservative government’s Levelling Up scheme.

It said plans to build a cinema, shops and eating areas in Ollerton and energy-efficient units in Clipstone had been delayed as a result of the money not arriving.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it would provide further details “in due course”.

The council warned last month it would not be able to continue design work without receiving some of the money.

Its deadline of the end of July has now passed, meaning the project timeline will now have to be pushed back.

A council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We continue to press the new government for the release of the £20m levelling up funding as soon as possible.

“Delays with funding mean delays with delivery.

“The council, its regeneration partners, and most importantly our communities need and deserve this and other funding to make these exciting projects happen.”

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