Stafford MP Theo Clarke has told of her delight that the Stafford Station Gateway project has received £20 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The Levelling up secretary of state Michael Gove was invited to Stafford by Theo to announce the money this morning. The scheme failed in the last round of bids but Theo has worked hard with ministers to ensure it was awarded the cash from the round 3 pot. The scheme will bring back into use underutilised land around the station and it includes 900 homes, 30,000sq ft of commercial space and a hotel.
The work will complement other government investment in the Shire Hall and through the Future High Street Fund that is already transforming the town centre.
“I am absolutely delighted this money has been awarded to the borough council to ensure this project will have spades in the ground backed by this substantial funding to ensure it is high-quality and successful,” said Theo.
“It has been a long road to get to this point following the disappointment of last year but I have never given up. I worked to understand the reasons why the last bid fell at the last hurdle and I met with two levelling up ministers to make the case that government money levelling up money could be put to good use here in Stafford. I would like to thank the secretary of state, the levelling up minister Jacob Young and his predecessor Dehenna Davison for working with me on this scheme. It will make a huge difference to our town.”
Michael Gove said: “I am delighted to be in Stafford with Theo Clarke MP to announce this major investment from round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund. Theo has campaigned tirelessly to help secure nearly £20 million to transform the station area of Stafford, and today her hard work has paid off. She is a brilliant advocate for her constituents and I look forward to working with her and the local council to deliver this project for the people of Stafford.”
