Funding has been rejected for two major Swindon projects as part of the latest levelling up fund cash handouts.
Swindon Borough Council was hoping for funding to help restore the Health Hydro and also bring the Oasis Leaisure Centre back into use.
The government’s levelling up department, which has given funding to over 100 projects worth £2.1bn, has decided to reject the bids.
South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland said “Whilst this is disappointing news, we must remember that we have received significant Government funding here in Swindon over the past few years, which has included funding from previous rounds of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. This has included vital special educational needs and disability funding for our schools, and just before Christmas, the Government also awarded more than £3m in new Levelling Up funding, which will be distributed to several community groups and charities here in Swindon, and used to support youth work in the town.
“Over £100m will be spent on town centre projects here in Swindon over the next three years, with work on Fleming Way already underway. The majority of this has been secured through successful funding bids from the Government’s Towns Fund.
“Back in November, our brand-new state-of-the-art £21 million Government funded Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology also opened at New College Swindon’s North Star Complex, after Swindon was awarded funding to build one of the first twelve Institutes of Technology in the country.
“There is another round of Levelling Up Funding coming up, and we must now focus our attention on putting together further bids. We have been successful in many previous Levelling Up rounds, and there is no reason why we will not be successful in future bids.
“When it comes to Government funding here in Swindon, along with Justin Tomlinson MP, I will fight hard to ensure that we continue to receive our fair share.”
