Council's Levelling Up Consultation Closes

The consultation on plans to try to unlock £20 million of funding for Sheerness has now closed.

Swale Borough Council say that they have received 324 responses from the public on plans that will become a bid to the government’s Levelling Up fund.

More than 75 per cent supporting the council’s plans to better connect the town centre by building a new indoor swimming pool, improving the leisure centre and health offer, expanding Sheppey College and creating new studio spaces at Master’s House.

Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: “We’re really pleased with the level of engagement we’ve seen from local people during the Levelling Up bid consultation, and we’ll now carefully review all the comments and suggestions. Of the people that responded, 85 per cent supported our proposals to better connect the sea with the high street and town centre, 78 per cent supported the expansion of Sheppey College, 74 per cent supported further investment in Master’s House, and 76 per cent would like to see new leisure facilities at Beachfields. We’ve had suggestions to include soft play inside the new leisure complex and build a tidal pool for open water swimming.

Cllr Bonney then went on to add: “We’ve also received requests to emphasise the area’s history, heritage and natural environment, focus on college courses that are relevant to area and on include arts and culture at Master’s House. If we’re successful, this bid for capital funding from Government could bring much needed investment to the Island. The fund is expected to open in the spring, and we want to be ready with a strong bid that has the backing of the local community.”