Cumbria gains Coastal Communities boost

Whitehaven Harbour is set to receive £2.45m for a water sports and recreational activities centre as part of the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund.

The 14,000 sq ft Cumbria Coastal Activities Centre is also set to include an activity, arts, and community hub with an events and educational space. It is set to cost £3m.

Dorset, Gloucestershire, Kent and Suffolk also received part of the £10m funding, which was devised in order to create jobs, boost tourism, improve transport and protect coastal heritage sites. This round of investment is hoped to attract £7.9m in additional backing from the public and private sector.

This latest funding announcement brings the total Coastal Communities Fund investment to £228m since its inception in 2012. It is supporting 359 projects across the UK.

Jake Berry, minister for the Northern Powerhouse and local growth, said: “Ensuring our coastal towns have the support they need to thrive is at the heart of this Government’s plan to level up every part of the UK.

“Building on our £228m investment into coastal communities, the projects receiving funding today were designed by local people who know best what will bring the biggest benefit to their communities. Their fantastic ideas demonstrate the raw potential of our coastal towns and will help create good jobs, boost economic growth and improve people’s lives as we leave the EU on 31 October.”