Confirmed £20m funding package for North Tyneside area expected to regenerate neighbourhoods
Percy Main and its surrounding areas will benefit from up to £20m in funding over the next 10 years after it was selected as one of the key locations in the Government’s Pride in Place programme.
Pride in Place is a major initiative set up by the Government designed to invest in and regenerate neighbourhoods across the country, aiming to give local people greater influence over the future of their area.
Across the country, Pride in Place funding is already being used to revitalise high streets, enhance public spaces, upgrade local facilities, support community organisations, and create new opportunities for young people.
The investment is focused on the local community – with overarching priorities of building stronger communities, creating thriving places and putting key decisions in the hands of the people most impacted by them.
North Tyneside Council will support the programme and will ensure engagement is inclusive, accessible, transparent and respectful, so that the community can help shape the future of the area.
This will come in the form of community meetings, surveys and events.
To make sure that any plans represent the best interests of the community, a neighbourhood board is set to be created. This board will be made up of an independent Chair, Sir Alan Campbell MP, local residents, businesses and representatives from the voluntary and community sector.
Dame Norma Redfearn DBE has been appointed as Chair of the Neighbourhood Board and will lead the board.
Once the board has been set up, it will be responsible for creating a Pride in Place Plan that will be subject to assessment before approval in November 2026.
Sir Alan Campbell MP said: “Pride in Place is a major initiative set up by the Government to regenerate neighbourhoods across the country and give local people more say over the future of their area.
“I’m delighted the Board will be chaired by Dame Norma Redfearn DBE, who, as a former Cllr for Riverside Ward, has strong links to the area.
“Norma has a proven track record of delivering regeneration and standing up for local communities.
“To make sure that any plans represent the best interests of the community, a neighbourhood board will be created who will ultimately shape the plans.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring long lasting, positive change to the area.”
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, Karen Clark, added: “We’re all incredibly excited about what the Pride in Place programme will mean for the future of Percy Main.
“It’s an opportunity for people who live in the area to have a real say on shaping its future – building stronger communities and bringing long-lasting improvements.”
An initial consultation on the Pride in Place programme is underway and residents who live in Percy Main and its surrounding areas can now have their say at an in-person event. This will take place on Monday, March 23 at The Parks Sports Centre.
More information on the event can be found on the North Tyneside Council website.