REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore is encouraging residents to come forward with their ideas with ways to invest the £20million Pride in Place funding coming to Greenlands and Woodrow.
The scheme will see £2million-a-year for 10 years invested into the town to help regenerate the area for the community.
The funding, announced exclusively on the front page of the Standard, is aimed specifically at neighbourhoods with high levels of deprivation and weak social infrastructure.
It can be used in an area to bring disused buildings back into use, create new community facilities and improve local infrastructure.
Speaking in the House of Commons during the Housing, Communities and Local Government Topical Questions debate, Mr Bloore thanked the Government for prioritising Redditch after years of neglect and rising inequalities in health, skills and employment.
He said: “For 14 years, two communities – Woodrow and Greenlands – have been forgotten, while inequalities in health, jobs and skills have risen.
“I’m delighted that this £20million investment will start to put that right.
“The people who know these communities best are the people who live there – and they should be the ones to decide how this money is spent.
“That’s why I’ll keep working to ensure local residents, community groups and organisations are at the heart of shaping this investment.”
The funding will be overseen by a new Neighbourhood Board made up of local residents, community organisations, and businesses.
The Board will work together to identify priorities and guide how the investment is spent.
The cash aims to improve community spaces and facilities, create more youth services and safe spaces, support local health and wellbeing projects expand skills training and employment opportunities and make neighbourhoods safer and more welcoming.
Following the debate, Mr Bloore said he was proud to be a strong voice for Redditch as this major investment gets under way.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver real, lasting change for Greenlands and Woodrow.
“It’s not about decisions being made in London – it’s about local people leading the way.
“Together, we can make our streets safer, create more youth services and support skills, jobs and wellbeing.”
Residents are encouraged to share their ideas on how the funding should be used.
