Regeneration Towns and Cities 2021-01-11
2021-01-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the impact of COVID-19 on urban centres, highlighting a need for recovery strategies.
What steps he is taking to enable regeneration in towns and cities. The government faces an unprecedented challenge due to covid-19 impacting towns and high streets. I ask about new urban centre recovery taskforce and wider planning reforms including property use flexibility, as well as funds like the £3.6 billion towns fund, £4 billion levelling up fund, and brownfield funding.
We have announced a new urban centre recovery taskforce bringing local leaders and experts together for adaptation. Wider planning reforms give shop owners property use flexibility and rebuild vacant properties as homes. The £3.6 billion towns fund, the £4 billion levelling up fund, and brownfield funding will ensure investment to prosper.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Stoke-on-Trent has not benefited from similar funds previously, raising concerns about missing out on much-needed funding.
I welcome the recently announced levelling up and brownfield funds. Will my right hon Friend do everything possible to ensure that we do not miss out this time on much-needed funding for towns such as Longton and Fenton in Stoke-on-Trent?
The levelling-up fund prospectus will soon be published for all parts of the country to benefit. As a result of assiduous lobbying, further funding has been brought forward for brownfield land remediation in Stoke-on-Trent.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to ensure Stoke-on-Trent benefits from funds
Under Review
Prospectus Publication
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Aylesbury has made progress with regeneration plans despite coronavirus, focusing on Market Square and Kingsbury Square proposals.
Could my right hon Friend outline how the Government will assist ambitious local authorities such as Buckinghamshire Council to make plans for regeneration in Aylesbury a reality?
The Government has allocated over £172 million to Buckinghamshire's garden town project for 10,000 homes. Ambitious plans include turning underutilised retail into work spaces and homes, trying to attract private sector investment using planning reforms.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
St Anne's faces significant challenges due to the pandemic and needs support for regeneration. The constituency benefits from the future high streets fund.
What plans does the Department have to support the regeneration of this Lancashire coastal gem, particularly St Anne's?
Kirkham will receive over £6 million from the future high streets fund. Blackpool received £39.5 million to modernise illuminations and other projects. Over £230 million has been provided to coastal towns through the coastal communities fund, which will continue with the levelling-up and UK shared prosperity funds.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy