£269m boost for community action

SEVERAL North East communi- ties are to benefit from multi- million-pound investments in an effort to revive the region’s high streets, parks and public spaces. And it is up to local residents to decide how it is spent.

- NICOLE GOODWIN

EVERAL North East communiies are to benefit from multimillion-pound investments in an effort to revive the region’s high streets, parks and public spaces.

And it is up to local residents to decide how itis spent.

The Pride in Place programme will inject £5bn into 339 neighbourhoods across the country, including several within Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and beyond.

North East communities will receive an investment of £269m under the plans.

Local residents will decide how funding is spent - reviving high streets, restoring parks, and breathing new life into pubs, leisure centres and community halls.

This allows the revitalisation to be led by the people who know their neighbourhoods best.

Communities will also gain new powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses and buy beloved local assets before they close.

It is hoped the plans will restore people's pride in their communities and regain a sense of unity within neighbourhoods.