'A huge blow to the people of Billingham' as town misses out on Levelling Up Funding for the second time

Major proposals for Billingham to receive a £20million cash boost from the Government's Levelling Up Fund have been rejected for the second time in a 'huge blow to the people of Billingham'.

The refined £20million bid was submitted to Government by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in August as part of ambitious plans to bring transformational change to the town.

The bid for the Stockton North constituency was resubmitted for Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund, with 'strong and enhanced' plans to aid redevelopment and increase investment across Billingham.

The proposals included addressing the physical condition of the town centre in support of the Council's ambition to take back control of the centre.

This is the second time that Government has turned down the bid, with the Stockton North constituency also being unsuccessful in Round 1 in 2021.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: "We are majorly disappointed to have such a strong bid rejected for the second time.

"This is a huge blow to the people of Billingham. The Government has ignored them for the second time, despite the clear need for intervention in the town.

"Not only have they failed the people of Billingham, they have failed to recognise the meaning of Levelling Up and the challenges that town centres across the country are facing.

"Why has Billingham town centre, which is in the 20 per cent of most deprived areas in the country has missed out on another golden opportunity?

"We will continue to work hard to bring about investment and redevelopment in Billingham despite this setback. We owe it to the people of the town to do something about it."