As part of government's latest round of 'Levelling Up' funding, Gedling Borough Council will submit a funding bid of £50million and, if successful, it will go directly to improve Arnold town centre. A new leisure centre and the northern part of the town centre would be modernised if the money is secured, with the project called 'Ambition Arnold'.
The current Arnold Leisure Centre, along with the Bonington Theatre, would be replaced, along with plans for a new library and public realm space. The 'Levelling Up' Fund has up to £4.8billion of funding available for local infrastructure across the UK.
Gedling Borough Council previously bid for £20million in the first round but was unsuccessful. Feedback from government suggested the previous application was strong, specifically around the plans for the town centre, so the council has submitted a new bid based on the government response.
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Labour leader of Gedling Borough Council, councillor John Clarke MBE, who represents Netherfield, said: "We think this is a strong proposal that, if successful, will help rebuild our town centre. The application includes ambitious proposals for a brand new leisure and culture site at the north part of Arnold town that will improve this part of the town following the recent investment in the south part of the town with the creation of The AMP building.
"Residents in Arnold have told us the physical appearance of the area and variety of shops is an issue. This money would be used to improve those areas and create a real buzz in the town centre.
"We have already shown our intentions with the multi-million pound investments we have made in the new Arnold Market Place and the refurbishment of Carlton town centre and we will continue to do everything we can to improve the borough for our residents and businesses."
Gedling Borough Council has said the new £4million building, The AMP, will open 'shortly'. It's said to feature a number of enterprise businesses there, and is hoped to create a better economy for the area.
Labour deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, councillor Michael Payne, who represents Redhill, said: "We hope government will take this application seriously and see that Gedling is in real need of this investment and is simply asking for a fair share of funding, which is what this government promised 'every part of the UK'. Gedling Borough Council's first application to the 'Levelling Up' fund was backed by the local Member of Parliament and the council was told it was a 'strong' application but no funding was forthcoming.
"We have made alterations and council officers have worked hard to get a bid ready in a short space of time. However, it is now in the hands of central government to demonstrate if they are serious about backing the council’s ambition to invest in our local communities here in Gedling."
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