Ramsgate through to next stage of £1.7m Coastal Community Funding application

A bid from Ramsgate Coastal Community Team to secure £1.7 million for regeneration projects in Ramsgate, has made it through to the next stage of the application process.

The team, whose members include Ramsgate Town Council, Ramsgate Neighbourhood Plan Group, Ramsgate Town Team, The Ramsgate Society, Ramsgate Regeneration Alliance and Thanet District Council was successful following the submission of an outline proposal to secure an award from the Coastal Community Fund.

Successful funding would be used to fund a portfolio of projects aimed at developing a corridor of regeneration linking the town centre to the harbour and seafront.

The application focuses on supporting sustainable economic growth for Ramsgate. Among the projects for which the Coastal Community Team hopes to secure funding are:

• Improving the streetscape of Harbour Street
• Improving pedestrian signage around the town
•  Establishing a Business Hub to provide start-up spaces for small businesses and access to business advice
•  Restoring the iconic arches and sturgeon lights above the Harbour
•  Providing additional lighting at Christmas for the Harbour yachts

The team has now been invited to progress the application further and provide a more detailed brief on what they hope to achieve.

In developing the next stage of the bid the team will be consulting residents and businesses to gauge their opinions on the plans.  Further information can be found at www.ramsgatetown.org.

Jenny Dawes, Co-ordinator of the Ramsgate Coastal Community Team, said.‘This is a highly competitive process so we’re delighted to be through to the second round and we hope to build on our success in obtaining £50k Coastal Revival Funding for Ramsgate last year.’

Councillor Lin Fairbrass, Cabinet Member for Community Development and Deputy Leader said, ‘Getting through to the next stage of the funding application is an important step for the regeneration of Ramsgate. Ramsgate’s Coastal Community Team will be working hard to engage with residents and businesses, as well as drawing up a more detailed funding application to submit to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG). I’m looking forward to working with the team to help secure the funding required.

For further information please contact Thanet Council’s Press Office on 01843 577034