By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A Levelling Up minister says £20m funding for Bassetlaw will have long-term benefits for the area.
Eight projects have today (March 14) been confirmed to improve town centres, health and training across the district.
Bassetlaw is one of 20 areas in need of regeneration that will receive tailored government funding, aimed at overcoming long-term problems.
Old print rooms in Worksop will be redeveloped into a £6m training and workshop-based education centre.
Vacant units in the Priory Shopping Centre will be converted into an NHS health and wellbeing centre at a cost of £5m.
A further £3m will used to convert a derelict site in Harworth and Bircotes into a community and learning centre.
MP Jacob Young, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Levelling Up, said the investment would help tackle long-term problems in the area.
“We have invested more than £60m into Bassetlaw in recent years – it’s important to recognise areas that have been left behind and address their deep-rooted issues in those areas,” he told the LDRS.
“Our deep drives into tackling the barriers to levelling up in places such as Blackpool, Grimsby and Blythe were seen as very successful, and we are pleased to announced the interventions in Bassetlaw.”
The newly-announced details also allocates £3m for improving access and reducing anti-social behaviour in Worksop, Retford and Tuxford town centres.
“We want people to feel safe when they’re visiting. This will go a long way to that,” Mr Young said.
He described “the most exciting parts” as £200,000 to support Bassetlaw’s preparations for the prototype nuclear fusion plan at the former West Burton power station.
Mr Young acknowledged that some councils have called for a sustained rise in local government funding rather than one-off packages, but said Bassetlaw would feel the benefits of this deal.
“We are investing in councils across the country with a 7.5 per cent spending uplift,” he said.
“Some councils are in difficult financial situations but we shouldn’t shy away from the huge impact this will have.
“Bassetlaw will see real long-term benefits from this.”
Councillor James Naish (Lab), leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “This £20million investment through the Levelling Up Partnership will help to propel change and generate more life chances and opportunities for residents of all ages across Bassetlaw.
“Among the eight confirmed projects, there are schemes in Tuxford and Harworth & Bircotes as well as Retford and Worksop, all of which contributes to delivering the Council’s vision for Bassetlaw as a whole to become an even better place to live, work and do business”.
Mansfield is also on the list of districts which will receive a £20m Levelling Up Partnership in the coming months.
