RESIDENTS in two Coventry neighbourhoods are set to benefit from up to £40million of investment over the next decade.
The government has announced that Tile Hill and Hillfields will both receive up to £20million of investment as part of its £5billion Pride in Place programme – in addition to Willenhall, funding for which was announced last year.
Local people will decide how the funding – worth £2million a year over ten years – is spent.
It will support improvements to high streets, parks, community facilities and essential services, as well as projects that strengthen community life and bring people together.
Tile Hill was identified as one of the areas most in need of long-term support based on measures including deprivation, community need, levels of social connection, access to local services, the condition of public spaces and the strength of the local high street.
Coventry North West MP Taiwo Owatemi has welcomed the funding, having campaigned for greater support and investment in Tile Hill.
She said: “This is a huge investment in Tile Hill, and one I have been pushing for over a long period of time.
“For too many years, areas like Jardine Crescent have not had the level of support and attention they deserve, despite being home to a strong community and important local services.”
She said residents had told her they wanted to see improvements to local businesses support, cleaner and safer streets, better access to services like pharmacies, or more investment in community spaces.
She added: “This funding will make a real difference – not just in improving physical spaces, but in strengthening the community and supporting the local high street to thrive again.
“I will be working closely with local residents to ensure that this investment reflects the priorities of the community and delivers meaningful, long-term change.”
She added that the Tile Hill community had highlighted the challenges facing Jardine Crescent, where long-standing businesses are closing or at risk of closure – with traders pointing to pressures including rising costs and disruption.
The Pride in Place programme is a national initiative to revitalise high streets, improve public spaces and strengthen local services, while giving residents a direct say in how funding is spent.
Communities will have new powers to take control of local assets, tackle vacant or derelict buildings and shape the future of their neighbourhoods.
Community organisations, residents and local leaders will work together to decide how the funding is used.
Ms Owatemi is encouraging residents across Tile Hill to take part in upcoming engagement opportunities to help shape the future of their community.
