£3.8m for city 5G project
Sunderland has won £3.8million funding to deliver ambitious 5G and infrastructure work under a £900million Government cash announcement.
A total of 21 “shovel-ready” projects have been successful inwinningfundingtohelpcreate jobs and boost businesses as the UK bears up against the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
A total of £900m has been announcedbytheGovernment for projects nationwide.
The £3.8million for the “Next Generation Digital Connectivity and Riverside Sunderland Strategic Infrastructure Works" will see the project “deliver 5G and strategic infrastructure works to accelerate the regeneration of Sunderland Riverside and city centre”, according to documents.
Other Sunderland and Durham projects to get funding are:
Hillthorn Employment Zone Energy Infrastructure works – near Sunderland’s Nissan plant. The project will supply5MWpowertothepark to help secure investors and free up additional supply for the nearby International Advanced Manufacturing Park.
The announcement documentstates:“Fundingwillsupport works to a substation and connectiontothreeplots.This willunlockthedevelopmentof 35,303 sqm commercial space on Hillthorn Business Park (within the A19 Low Carbon Enterprise Zone).”
AykleyHeads“DurhamPlot C” – the document states “This developmentwillkickstartthe implementation of the masterplan for the strategically important Aykley Heads employment site in Durham City, creating high-quality grade A business space (3,512 sqm), adjacent to existing high tech/ digitally enabled businesses.”
The 21 successful projects in the North East will receive a share of £64.4m from the £900mGettingBuildingFund, which was announced by the Prime Minister in June, to invest in shovel-ready housing and infrastructure projects, creating jobs and supporting economic recovery.
The investment, expected to deliver up to 1,310 homes and create up to 4,460 jobs in theNorthEast,wasconfirmed on Tuesday by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick.
Mr Jenrick said the move is part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to deliver upgrades to local infrastructure and boost skills to help fuel a green economic recovery.
Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Simon Clarke MP said: “We want to build back better to fuel a green economic recovery across the North East by investing in infrastructure, creating jobs and building the homes people need.”
Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said: “This Government is determined to ensure the housing market delivers the well-designed, environmentally sustainable homes the North East need.
“This investment will deliver about 4,000 quality new homes in the North East, reaffirming our commitment to uniting and levelling up every part of the country and providing a legacy to future generations of which we can be proud.”
Thefundingcommitments come ahead of a radical overhaul of the planning system due to be announced shortly.
Ministers say the reforms will bring about a simpler, faster, people-focused system to deliver the high-quality, energy efficient homes we need.