Pride in Place cash invested in Torbay projects

Community leaders in Torbay have started to spend some of the £20m from a government scheme which aims to invest in communities.

Sixteen schemes in Torquay will get a share of the Pride in Place funding, a programme set up to help "overlooked" communities in the UK.

The Torquay Place Leadership Board said the first six projects had been selected, which included the resurface and repair of a multi-use games area at the Windmill Centre in Hele; along with the regeneration of Higher Union Street, where a community hub is set to be created.

Jim Parker, chairman of the board, said "all of the schemes sit at the heart of our communities. We have got a real chance to make a difference."

The £20m for Torquay would be spent over the next decade on projects that tick boxes for "thriving places", "stronger communities" or "taking back control", reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The priorities of the funding included improving the town centre, improving wider neighbourhoods, helping people with work and skills, and supporting creative, culture and heritage initiatives.

Four other projects that are due to start straight away include the redevelopment of Ellacombe Church into a multi-use community hub, as well as the regeneration of the Barton Recreation Ground Community Hub.

The Royal Lyceum Theatre would also receive revitalisation work, while the St Mary Magdalene Church Community Provision would get funding to continue its community engagement, project managers said.

The Torquay Place Leadership Board said more than 30 schemes vied for a share of the funding, but that number was reduced to 16.

Parker said all of the projects "deserved" funding but said those that were not selected "would not be forgotten".

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