Urban Renewal Programme
The Team Devon Covid-19 Economy and Business Recovery Prospectus identified the need for a support package for Devon’s coastal and market towns to assist in their economic recovery and future prosperity. To implement the recommendations in the Prospectus, £200,000 was allocated to the Coastal and Market Towns Urban Renewal project as part of the £6 million economy recovery funding package.
Phase 1 engaged a consultant to produce a review of the challenges and opportunities in Devon’s coastal and market towns. This work was done in partnership with district and town council colleagues.
Following this review, and considering the vulnerability index and recovery prospects calculated by Devon County Council’s Economic Evidence and Policy Team, eight towns were identified as the priorities to receive the funding. These were the towns left most economically vulnerable by the pandemic but with the biggest opportunities for regeneration work.
Axminster, Bideford, Dawlish, Ilfracombe, Okehampton, Teignmouth, Tiverton, and Seaton were the towns selected for the pilot project. The funding has been used to develop Regeneration Strategies, Business Cases for future regeneration investments, and a suite of Quick Win projects.
The Urban Renewal project involves the County Council, District Councils, Town Councils, and local stakeholders working collectively to develop shared visions and strategies that address specific local needs.
This work will also support these towns to identify a pipeline of projects or business cases for upcoming funding opportunities, such as Shared Prosperity Fund and Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund.