Telford's bid for £25 million to be resubmitted after ‘clarifications’ called for

The bid for Towns Funding from the government had been submitted by a Telford partnership, with the aim of kickstarting a number of significant development projects.

The projects include plans to develop a 'Station Quarter', between the town's railway station and the town centre, and the regeneration of Wellington conservation centre and Oakengates theatre quarter.

A number of West Midlands towns received confirmation of their funding in the budget, but the government confirmed Telford's bid was still under consideration.

It has now emerged that the bid will be resubmitted.

Graham Wynn OBE, chair of the Towns Fund Board, said he was still confident of winning the maximum £25m for Telford.

Telford & Wrekin Council's Labour leader Shaun Davies voiced his frustration at the situation and urged the government to make good on its 'levelling up agenda'.

Telford MP, Conservative Lucy Allan, said the Towns Fund Board had received "constructive feedback" which would aid the bidding process.

Optimistic

Mr Wynn said: "We submitted our Town Investment Plan to government three months ago and last week received a request for some clarifications.

"These are required to complete the assessment of the bid and we have no indication at this point of the likely outcome. However we remain optimistic of a successful result.

"We remain absolutely focused on winning the full £25m for Telford and we have elected to resubmit.

"We will do this as quickly as possible and within two months. We are continuing to work with our public and private sector partners who, like us, remain committed to delivering the transformational projects set out in our plan."

Councillor Davies said: "This is really disappointing.

"Telford regularly punches above its weight yet is constantly overlooked for funding. We need government to believe and back Telford like many of us do. We will work hard to make London based MPs understand the value of our Towns Fund bid together with the £110m match funding that the council has secured.

"If the government is serious about its levelling up agenda we will be awarded the full £25 million, offering hope to our communities who are most in need of help."

Mrs Allan said: "The bidding process is set out in a prospectus and the Telford Towns Fund Board is following that process in the same way as any other Towns Fund Board.

"The decision was taken by the board not to apply for funding until the third phase. Towns in the first phase were allocated funding on March 3. No cash allocations are expected for any towns in the third phase until the bidding process is complete. This may take between 7 and 12 months.

"The Towns Fund bid has not failed. The board’s objective is to secure the maximum funding for Telford. We have received constructive feedback on the initial investment plan which will assist us in the bidding process.

"As a board member and Telford’s MP, I will continue to work with my fellow board members and Government to secure this vital funding for Telford’s future."