'False promises' as town misses out on £9m funding

All parties agreed Hucknall needed more investment to make it a better place to live

The decision to withdraw £9m of funding from a town in Nottinghamshire has drawn an angry reaction from some residents.

The money for Hucknall was announced in March 2024 by the previous Conservative government but in October, Labour said it was under review.

It has now been confirmed the investment will not be forthcoming, with local Labour MP Michelle Welsh claiming the area had been the victim of "false promises" from the Conservatives.

But the ruling Independent group on Ashfield District Council said the move was "an absolute betrayal of Hucknall" and local projects would suffer.

'Plan B'

A series of projects across England, Scotland and Wales were earmarked for funding in March.

But after a period of consultation, the money has been shelved for all but 10 of the schemes.

Lee Waters, who represents Hucknall central for Ashfield Independents on the district council, said it was "an unforgivable slap in the face for our residents".

He said: "[The money would] revamp the town centre to make it brighter, safer.

"That involves improving the lighting, the signage, the paving, shop front upgrades, boosting business and making Hucknall a much more attractive place to be.

"We were going to enhance public spaces, including our market space and the Byron Cinema junction where there's a lot of traffic issues."

He added they were now "looking at Plan B" and approaching the East Midlands Combined County Authority "to step up where the government failed".

Tony Bucknall said he felt "promises should be kept" and the money would have boosted the area

Resident Annabel Clowes, 32, said: "[I am] disappointed because we could do with the money to make Hucknall a better place.

"We need more soft play areas for children and places for mothers to get together so they don't feel alone."

Tony Bucknall, 82, said: "If I won a million pounds I wouldn't leave Hucknall, I'd spend the money on improving Hucknall.

"It needs better shops, more upmarket shops.

"I believe in promises and if a promise is made it should be kept and if we had kept the £9m it could also improve Titchfield park and fill a few potholes."

Labour Michelle Welsh MP said the original bid from Ashfield Independents was poor

Welsh defended the move, and said: "Hucknall has been let down both by the previous Conservative government's false promises and by the Ashfield Independent administration's poorly planned bid. The people of Hucknall deserve better.

"No money has been taken away; it was never there to begin with."

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "This government inherited unfunded commitments to these projects, along with many others, but by making difficult choices we have managed to re-prioritise some funding within extremely tight budgets.

"We have carefully considered the responses to our consultation and chosen projects at an advanced stage that will have the greatest impact on local people and economic growth - this government's number one mission."