£40m investment for Luton - and you decide where the money will be spent

Luton North MP Sarah Owen and Luton South and South Bedfordshire MP Rachel Hopkins secured the “Pride in Place” funding, which amounts to £2million a year each for Marsh Farm and Central Luton and forms part of the government’s social cohesion strategy.

Luton people will decide where the money is spent and will be given new powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses, or buy beloved local assets before they close.

The funding also means the community will have the power to revitalise local areas, create new spaces for young people and take back control of derelict pubs or public spaces.

The government recently unveiled a decades-long plan with social cohesion titled “protecting what matters”, which aims to invest in areas with high deprivation where there has been limited opportunity for community investment.

The cash forms part of a wider £5billion investment across the country aimed at “patriotic renewal”, letting residents reclaim beloved assets “street by street”.

The government’s Pride in Place funding comes as “for too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded up shops and neglected parks”.

Rachel Hopkins MP said: “I’m incredibly pleased to have secured this £20 million investment for central Luton, which is designed to build local pride and create even stronger local connections.

“I’ve spent my years in Parliament fighting hard for our town to get the investment it deserves and for our brilliant community organisations to be backed to continue their great work. I’m glad that this Labour government is listening, and I am proud to be bringing this investment into our town.”

Cllr Hazel Simmons, Leader of Luton Council, added: “It’s fantastic that central Luton is set to receive £20 million long-term investment to improve community spaces and revitalise this part of our town. I look forward to seeing the community come together to have their say and shape some great projects for their local area.”

Sarah Owen said: “Alongside our local councillors in Marsh Farm, I have been banging the drum for investment in Luton North, and this Government has heard that call.

“The £20million over the next 10 years will be directly invested by the community, and for the community. It will create jobs and opportunities, help improve community facilities and green spaces, make streets cleaner, safer and more welcoming, and strengthen the groups that bring communities together.

“This funding will be transformational for people in Marsh Farm who, despite incredible community spirit and love for their town, had to watch as Conservative austerity hit their neighbourhood hardest.”

Labour councillors Amy Nicholls, Babatunde Ajisola and Rob Roche, who represent Marsh Farm, welcomed the announcement.

Cllr Nicholls said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Labour Government has awarded Marsh Farm £20m over the next 10 years to help restore pride in our area and further strengthen our community.

“This additional Pride in Place funding will make a real difference to Marsh Farm, and will empower our community to come together, and co-develop improvements for our area.

“We are excited to work closely with Sarah Owen MP, and most importantly the Marsh Farm community, over the coming months and years to deliver this important regeneration project.”

> How do you think the money should be spent?