A new project is being set up for a Kent town to “change its face” after being granted another £20 million in government cash.
Thanet District Council (TDC) has been awarded the money to spend on Ramsgate through ministers’ Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.
Spread across 10 years, the cash will flow through the town from next year – and is the only place in the county to benefit from this round of investment.
Though an exact plan for spending the money is yet to be determined, successful applications have been based on the levels of deprivation in the area, population size and healthy life expectancy.
The council has been told its plan should achieve three objectives of the programme funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: helping places thrive, creating stronger communities and taking back control.
It is hoped the scheme will help Ramsgate catch up with other coastal towns in Kent to see revivals in recent years such as Folkestone and Margate.
Last year, KentOnline revealed how one in four shopfronts in the town were empty – with efforts to rejuvenate the area now ramping up.
But it comes as previously proposed investment into the Port of Ramsgate from another government pot had to be reallocated to other projects in the town to avoid the cash being withdrawn.
TDC had allocated £7.6 million from the Levelling Up Fund to help offset and subsidise the costs of improvements needed at the harbour, which would be needed for any new commercial operator to run ferry services.
But despite the council saying there had been interested parties and a strong business case for the port’s potential, officers had been unable to secure a deal with a commercial partner and ferry operator.
With a time limit on when the income could be spent, the council decided the best way to preserve the pot was to move it into other regeneration schemes.
Ramsgate Clock House has been granted an extra £1.7 million, while the Green Campus located in the port area was boosted by £2 million and so would work to boost the harbour as a place to invest.
The Broad Street project benefited from a bonus £585,000, and improvements to fishing facilities was awarded £100,000 with more than £1.2 million left for contingency purposes.
Rick Everitt (Lab), the leader of the TDC, described the new Plans for Neighbourhoods funding as a “very exciting time for Ramsgate”.
He has urged people to take part in a survey designed to figure out how best to splash the cash.
He added: “With the prospect of £20 million of new government funding, in addition to the regeneration projects already underway, we have the opportunity to make a huge difference to the town.
“This survey is the first step in developing a shared vision for the future of Ramsgate, ensuring that the funding will improve the things that matter most to the people who live and work there.
“It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible at this early stage in the process.
“This is a significant opportunity for local people to change the face of Ramsgate, and getting a wide input is integral to getting this right. I would encourage as many people as possible to share their views on life in Ramsgate.”
A Neighbourhood Board has been set up to develop and deliver a 10-year vision and regeneration plan for Ramsgate, which must be submitted to the government for consideration by the end of November.
Brian Horton, its interim chairman, said: ‘’We are looking forward to hearing from the people of Ramsgate – it is important that everyone has a chance to let us know their views.
“That way, the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board will be able to develop a vision and plan for the £20m that reflects what local people think is needed to make Ramsgate the best place for their future.
“£20m sounds like a lot of money, but we need to make sure the investment is used wisely over the next 10 years.”
