Yorkshire Coast Town Fears Becoming 'Forgotten Acres' After Missing Out on Regeneration Funds

Councillors in Hornsea have expressed their frustration as the town misses out on millions of pounds of government cash.

The recent announcement that two East Riding coastal towns, Bridlington and Withernsea, will each receive £20 million of investment has been met with both celebration and profound disappointment along the coast.

The substantial funding, awarded through the Government’s newly announced "Pride in Place Programme," is structured to provide £2 million per year for each area over the next ten years, designed to regenerate overlooked neighbourhoods.

Councillor Anne Handley, the leader of East Riding Council, welcomed the decision, stating that the council was "delighted the Government has chosen to invest in two of our priority regeneration areas". Councillor Handley explained that the funding "will form the cornerstone of our coastal economic strategy" and is intended to "breathe new life" into the towns. Potential projects could involve the regeneration of community spaces, tackling homelessness, or funding arts and cultural initiatives.

However, the exclusion of a third significant coastal destination from the initial funding allocation has sparked serious concern that it is being left behind.

Councillor Barbara Jefferson voiced deep disappointment regarding the decision, questioning the process that led to the selection of the two successful locations.

"I am delighted for Bridlington and of course for Withernsea, but I am very very disappointed for Hornsea.

So my question is was there any fight for Haunted to be included or was it literally they're the two coastal towns which need the money, because I can assure you we are the forgotten acres if that's how it is.

So I would hope that the leader can tell me that Horny was mentioned at some time".

Councillor Handley, while confirming that the town was not included in the existing programme, offered reassurance that the Council had future plans for the area.

"Hornsea isn't in there, there was a bid put forward for the coast and the two places that were chosen were Withernsea and Bridlington and at that point we never had a saying that that is what came back to us.

But I'm quite sure we can look at bids for Hornsea as well. It's a fantastic destination, brilliant for tourists. There's a lot going on there. There's lots of independent shops and I'm sure that we can have a look at Something for Hornsea as well".

The substantial investment in Bridlington and Withernsea is intended to improve infrastructure, enhance public amenities, and boost tourism, creating new opportunities for local residents and businesses. The funds are specifically earmarked to target investment towards "the 5% of our population that live in our most vulnerable neighbourhoods". Decisions on spending will be guided by a “Neighbourhood Board,” including residents and businesses working in partnership with East Riding Council.

In addressing why Hornsea was omitted from this specific tranche of funding, Councillor Andy Walker asserted that the decision was imposed centrally, rather than being a local choice.

"It was an algorithm presented to us by Westminster and that's the reason that Hornsea didn't make it.

It wasn't a local decision at all. It was a Westminster decision on an algorithm which involved the indices of multiple deprivation".

The substantial funding awarded to these seaside destinations is part of a broader Government initiative aimed at regenerating coastal communities and supporting local economies. It is set to be directed towards improving infrastructure, enhancing public amenities, and boosting tourism in both Bridlington and Withernsea.

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