Council unsuccessful in Levelling Up Fund bid

Unfortunately, Eden District Council has been unsuccessful in its bid to the Government for the Levelling Up Fund: Round Two programme.

The council's application – which centred around the Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub - formed part of the significant UK-wide interest in the second round of the Fund and was assessed against the criteria outlined in the Levelling Up Fund prospectus and the Levelling Up Fund technical note.

The Government has outlined that there will be another round of the Fund, with details being announced soon.

A spokesperson for the Eden District Council said: "The council is obviously disappointed that its bid for levelling up funding has been unsuccessful in the current round of government grant allocations.

"However, we note that our application was positively received, both locally and by the government, and look forward to receiving detailed written feedback with regards the decision to reject the bid, as this will inform any decision around applications for the next round of levelling up funding."

Eden District Council's Deputy Leader and Economies and Enterprise Portfolio Holder, Cllr Mary Robinson, said: "I'm confident that the Inspiring Eden programme, which has received strong backing from Penrith and the Borders MP, Dr Neil Hudson, Cumbria County Council, the University of Cumbria and a host of local businesses, will continue to promote 21st century rural excellence in Eden, with the enormous economic benefits that will bring to the area.

"I'd like thank everyone that assisted and supported our submission for levelling up funding. The bidding process has helped the council, its partners and stakeholders, energise and focus local thinking around the Inspiring Eden programme. Provisional planning permission and significant funding is already in place for the Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub site. The land is available, plans are in place and the desire to realise the full potential of the project is as strong as ever.

"Local government reorganisation means that the Cumbria's district councils will be able to combine our resources as Westmorland and Furness Council and I look forward to continuing positive and constructive dialogue with our colleagues at the new authority, as we explore ways we can work together to harness the energy and focus that the Inspiring Eden levelling up fund bid has generated to secure additional investment for the Eden area."