Relief after pledge for millions to regenerate Norfolk towns

Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn and Thetford had all been selected to get up to £20m over the next decade, under the previous government's Long-Term Plan for Towns programme.

The money for Great Yarmouth has been confirmed (Image: Newsquest)

There was anxiety the incoming Labour government might not commit to that cash - but as part of chancellor Rachel Reeves's inaugural budget the towns were told the money would be coming.

READ MORE: King's Lynn and Thetford to get share of £400m investment

Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council (Image: Newsquest)

Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: "We have lobbied hard for this vital investment for the town to go ahead as originally planned.

‘’Engaging with our communities, we produced an exceptionally compelling rationale for how the funding would benefit Great Yarmouth over the next decade."

Leaders in Yarmouth plan to use the cash to improve access to health services, tidy up the town, tackle 'zombie' shops plaguing the high street, improve the lives of children and work to make the town feel safer.

Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of Breckland District Council (Image: Breckland District Council)

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Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of Breckland District Council, said: "This is fantastic news for Thetford and the Breckland district as a whole. 

"Thetford is the gateway to Norfolk, with huge potential for the future.

"As a district council, alongside our partners, we have been making the case to government and calling for major investment for some time.

"I'm delighted that, with this budget announcement, Thetford is guaranteed to see the investment promised by the previous government."

Thetford will get money from the scheme (Image: Mike Page)

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Alistair Beales, leader of West Norfolk Council (Image: Luke Daniel)

Alistair Beales, West Norfolk Council leader, said he welcomed the "great news" that the town would still get cash for regeneration.

He said: "We look forward to hearing more from the government about timescales and next steps, so we can move ahead with investing further in King’s Lynn, informed by the significant local public consultation undertaken during the summer and the national priorities for their reformed regeneration programme."

The money will be used to regenerate parts of King's Lynn (Image: Chris Bishop)