Where £750k Government funding is set to be spent

Boston Borough Council has released more details of the schemes which are set to benefit from £750,000 of Government funding.
No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131946005No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131946005
No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131946005

The money, known as Accelerated Funding, has been released by the Government as part of its Towns Fund pot, which in the long term could see funding of up to £25m unlocked for Boston and other towns.

The initial funding has to be used for quick fix projects, and must be spent by the end of next March.

The cash has been released as part of the Government’s response to the pandemic, and is aimed at capital projects that help with current challenges and secure immediate impact.

No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131936005No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131936005
No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131936005

In Boston, the money is set to go towards a 3G pitch development at Haven High School; a Digital, Transport and Logistics Academy being created at Boston College; ongoing town heritage projects; the Experience Boston publicity campaign, and a feasibility study for the proposed PE21 town centre redevelopment scheme.

l Haven High Academy – 3G Pitch Development Project

The ongoing bid by Haven High to install a 3G football pitch was given £120,000 from the funding.

The £750,000 scheme at Haven High Academy’s site in Marian Road has the backing of the Football Association and would include all required fencing and floodlighting.

No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131936005No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131936005
No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131936005

Haven High Academy’s headteacher, Matthew Van Lier, said: “On behalf of the students at Haven High Academy, and the wider community of Boston, I would like to express my gratitude to Boston Borough Council for their help with our 3G pitch programme.

“This is such a great example of how effective collaboration can deliver a speedy response to a funding need.

“The team at the council have worked tirelessly to secure this vital first stage funding, and we are also working closely with the FA and other community stakeholders to secure the balance.

“We hope our plans will be passed to allow building works to commence sometime in the new year.”

No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131956005No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131956005
No Caption ABCDE EMN-201210-131956005

Paul Skinner, leader of Boston Borough Council and a Boston Town Deal board member, said: “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to apply for Town Deal Accelerated Funding and to be able to support a key partner, Haven High Academy, deliver a facility that so many members of our community were asking for as part of the #MyTown consultation exercise.

“The 3G pitch is a true community project for all ages - we can’t wait to see it in action.”

Public consultations around the project have been held across recent months, with planning permission submitted to the council on Monday, October 5.

Nick Bishop, Haven High Academy’s head of sport and project lead, said: “This 3G pitch would be great for Boston students and the wider community.”

The council says that during early consultation on the #MyTown campaign as part of the Boston Town Deal, there was a significant amount of public support for increased sports facilities in the town, specifically 3G and 4G pitches. Boston has one of the lowest provisions in the county.

l Boston College Digital, Transport and Logistics Academy - £182,976

Due for completion for November 2020, Boston College’s Digital, Transport and Logistics Academy (the DTLA) is proposed to introduce new courses that will provide skills training for Lincolnshire’s established logistics and transportation industry, with a focus on digital innovation and technologies for the future.

The DTLA’s facilities will include a transport workshop, computer rooms, a network and hardware computer room and a student break-out space. This will continue to build on the success of the Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology centre (EMAT).

The logistics and transport industry provides approximately 40,000 jobs in the south east of Lincolnshire and is a key area of focus, together with the Port of Boston, in the emerging Boston Town Investment Plan.

As part of the work of the Town Deal Board, there is ongoing consultation with the logistics industry and the Port of Boston.

Councillor Nigel Welton, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for economic development, said of the award: “We are overwhelmed to be able to help support a project such as this knowing that many learners will be able to benefit, not just young people but people of all ages, and the opportunity it gives our town by providing significant social and economic benefits for Boston and the surrounding areas.”

l Boston Town Heritage Projects - £277,700

The idea of the project is to significantly enhance the eastern area of the town’s historic market place for the benefit of local businesses, the local community and visitors.

The ongoing project will explore Boston’s unique historic environment, dating from the medieval period to the 20th century, celebrating it and conserving it through a scheme of capital works and an innovative activity programme.

The project has been developed through a partnership between Boston Borough Council and Heritage Lincolnshire and aims to build on the momentum gained from recent heritage-led regeneration initiatives in the town through a previous Historic England-supported partnership scheme in conservation areas.

The scheme area includes the eastern boundary of the market place, Dolphin Lane and Pump Square, and individual buildings eligible for grant funding have been identified.

Work already undertaken on the project by Heritage Lincolnshire and the borough council with local businesses has resulted in the first three buildings within the scheme’s area reaching a point where they are ready to be renovated.

Lincolnshire County Council is also in the process of developing its highway development project for the Lane, to also be delivered this financial year.

Individual projects also made bids to the Accelerator Fund, including:

Experience Boston: Travel, Trade and Influence - £80,000.

This initiative is intended to enhance the town’s cultural infrastructure and share these stories as well as Boston’s historic trade and maritime associations.

It will also promote the wider retail offer of the town and give opportunity for fuller engagement with its businesses.

‘Experience Boston’ is intended to provide long term improvements in the public realm, building on the place brand, wayfinding and design toolkit developed in the successful ‘Boston: Explore and Discover’. Project.

PE21 Feasibility Funding - £89,000.

The Boston Borough Council PE21 scheme is a town centre masterplan to transform and regenerate 10 acres of the town centre, intended to create new well-being and leisure facilities, a transport hub, a hotel and new residential and care facilities in the heart of the town.

The feasibility study is intended to look at the sustainable and economic potential the PE21 vision can deliver.