Hundreds of Hastings Projects Compete for First Pride in Place Funding

Hundreds of ideas to improve neighbourhoods and public spaces across Hastings have been put forward as local groups compete for the first round of Pride in Place funding.

More than 270 applications were submitted before the first funding round closed, with proposals from residents, community groups and organisations across the town.

Together, the applications are seeking more than £11 million – far more than the amount available during the first year of the programme.

Around £342,000 has been made available for projects during the current funding round, meaning difficult decisions will now have to be made over which proposals receive support.

The funding forms part of a much larger ten-year programme which could ultimately bring up to £20 million of additional government investment into Hastings.

The town's regeneration plan, called A Hastings for Everyone, was approved by the Government earlier this year.

It was developed following consultation with thousands of local residents and is intended to concentrate investment on improvements people living in Hastings say they want to see.

The programme is divided into three main areas.

"Pride in Our Streets" can provide funding for improvements such as bins, benches, bus shelters, murals and other work to public spaces.

"Pride in Our Neighbourhoods" is aimed at projects including community centres, sports facilities and activities for young people.

Larger projects involving heritage, infrastructure, the town centre and seafront can eventually receive support through "Pride in Our Town".

The huge response to the first application round demonstrates the scale of demand for investment across Hastings.

With more than £11 million worth of proposals chasing a fraction of that amount in the first year, many projects will inevitably miss out on funding this time.

However, this is only the beginning of the programme.

Funding is expected to continue over the next decade, giving projects which are unsuccessful during the first round further opportunities as the Hastings programme develops.

The Hastings Pride in Place Board includes community representatives alongside other local organisations, with residents intended to play an important role in deciding how the money is spent.

The successful projects from the first funding round will provide the first indication of how that investment will begin to make a visible difference in communities across Hastings.