“For far too long, the people of Hartcliffe have felt left behind and forgotten by those in power”
Hartcliffe & Withywood Labour councillors Kirsty Tait (left), Kerry Bailes (second right) and Paul Goggin (right) with Cllr Susan Kollar (Labour, Bishopsworth) second left(Image: Bristol Labour)
Hartcliffe in South Bristol could be in line for up to £20 million of Government money after it was named as one of 25 new ‘trailblazer neighbourhoods’ to receive funding to help ‘left behind’ places.
The announcement formed part of the Chancellor’s big Spending Review plans, and the Government said it wanted to spark ‘community-led regeneration and renewal’ and make sure ‘places that have been too easily left behind are no longer ignored’.
A total of 20 neighbourhoods in England have been announced – five more in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will follow – and all but three in England are in the north or the midlands. As well as Hartcliffe, the Penhill area of Swindon is also on the list, as is an area in Maidstone in Kent. Each neighbourhood could receive ‘up to £20 million’ each as the individual projects progress.
It is not yet clear exactly how much money Hartcliffe will receive, or what it will be spent on, but a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the plan was to invest in the community over a long period of time, and have the community at the heart of the decisions about what needs to be done.
“Neighbourhoods will lead the way in community-led regeneration and renewal, receiving long-term investment for communities and early support to prepare for investment from a dedicated team,” they said.
“The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will work with partners from across the sector to help crowd in investment and provide a direct link to Whitehall – making sure that places that have been too easily left behind are no longer ignored.
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“This investment will support communities to drive forward the changes they want to see in their neighbourhoods. It will support improvements people can see on their doorstep, champion local leadership, foster community engagement and strengthen social cohesion,” they added.
The previous Conservative Government had a similar initiative called Levelling Up, and the Filwood area of South Bristol was named on their list to receive funds, and received a Government minister visit to launch it back in November 2023.
Around £14 million has been earmarked for the regeneration of Filwood Broadway, and work is already underway with plans for a refurbished and expanded community centre, new housing, sports facilities and the demolition and rebuild of some of the shopping area.
The three local councillors for Hartcliffe and Withywood are all Labour councillors – Kerry Bailes, Paul Goggin and Kirsty Tait. They welcomed the announcement.
A view of a street in Hartcliffe(Image: jon Kent/Bristol Live)
“For far too long, the people of Hartcliffe have felt left behind and forgotten by those in power. Labour is determined to change that,” they said, in a statement.
“The Government’s Spending Review has allocated up to £20m of long-term investment to Hartcliffe to bring about the change that local people want to see. This just goes to show the difference a Labour Government can make. After 14 long years of austerity and decline under the Tories, this investment is long overdue and sorely needed.
“We’re looking forward to hearing more about this scheme and working with local people to co-design the solutions our community so desperately needs,” they added.