Levelling up: East Midlands funding winners announced by government

Four projects in the East Midlands have been awarded millions under the government's latest round of levelling up funding.

A total of £53m has been made available for the community developments.

Successful Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bids include £19m to revamp a town centre in Nottinghamshire and £12m for highway improvements in Leicester.

The funding has been welcomed, with one council leader commenting it was "long overdue".

The government says more than 50 projects across the country will benefit from a total of £1bn.

In its third wave of funding, the government said it had selected "high-quality" bids that were submitted in the previous round.

Here is how the money has been allocated across the region.

The Shaping Sherwood Revival project, which supports the regeneration of Sherwood's former coal-mining communities, has been awarded just under £20m.

The LUF said the project aimed to create "high-quality mixed-used developments which will provide employment and training space, public services, sports and community facilities".

Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: "This announcement is long overdue, but it is well deserved and needed, especially for Ollerton.

"Our regeneration team have been working hard at shaping ideas to where they currently are and without our 'ready-to-deliver' projects, the much-needed investment may not have been so forthcoming."

The council said it hoped the Ollerton Town Centre Hub project and plans to create a new sustainable industrial estate in Clipstone, would benefit from the funding.

Nottingham City Council will also receive just under £20m for the regeneration of Bulwell town centre.

The council plans to create a new marketplace and build the 'Bulwell Promenade' - a new green corridor through the heart of the town centre.

The project will also improve the look and feel of hidden heritage by reinstating original features, the government said.

In Leicester, more than £12m has been awarded for the St. Margaret's junction project, which will revamp routes into the city centre, as well as connecting homes and businesses built on the Waterside Enterprise Zone.

The government said the improvements would also unlock other housing regeneration opportunities.

Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor for climate, culture and economy for Leicester City Council, said: "This is great news for the city and a fantastic opportunity to build on the improvements we have already seen from the award-winning redevelopment of St Margaret's bus station - the first operationally net zero bus station building in the UK."

Alongside the Levelling Up funding, the city council said it would invest £3m of capital funding towards the project, with work starting in 2025.

More than £1.1m will be invested in Swadlincote town centre, to upgrade its public space and amenities for residents and tourists, with the aim of attracting more investment into the town.

The LUF said the project would also help encourage greater community and leisure use of the town centre, by refreshing the multi-purpose outdoor space, regenerating derelict property and promoting sustainable and active travel.

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