The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Two multi-million pound projects across South Holland remain on track for completion despite fears over their final funding.
The Peppermint Junction Interchange project and developments at the Holbeach campus of the Agri-Food Centre of Excellence are both still waiting for £2.4million of vital European Union regeneration funding to be released.
Work is currently progressing on both developments, but there are concerns that the Government could hold onto EU funding not already diverted to local areas amid the economic uncertainty caused by the Brexit vote.
Coun Gary Porter, leader of South Holland District Council, felt both projects would still get their cash injections, but could be forced to play a waiting game.
He said: “They both should be fine, but it is a big chunk of money for this area that we’re waiting on.
“There is nothing we can do about it and it’s nowhere near as bad as other parts of the country.
“I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t released in the fullness of time. It’s just a case of waiting for the Government to get around to it.”
Coun Porter added that he felt the Government should make assurances as soon as possible as any loss of EU funding would be a severe blow.
He continued: “It is important for the Government to end the current uncertainty and guarantee that local areas will receive all of the EU funding they have been allocated by 2020.
“This is necessary to avoid essential growth-boosting projects stalling and local economies across England being stifled.
“An urgent government commitment to protect all of this funding is imperative so local areas can get on with the vital task of creating jobs, building infrastructure and boosting growth.
“Losing any of this vital money over the next few years would be a real blow for local economic growth and communities.”
The Peppermint Junction Interchange scheme, which has a total project cost of £3.45million, will see the construction of a new four-arm roundabout at the junction of the A17 and A151.
This will then provide access to development land for commercial space for the creation of a business park as well residential units.
The £7million project at the University of Lincoln’s Holbeach campus is aimed at creating a centre of excellence for the agri-food industry.
The development aims to include specialist food microbiology and food chemistry laboratories, shelf life and vase life laboratories, test kitchen and sensory science facilities, production lines and refrigeration equipment, a library and learning resources centre, plus accommodation for both housing and offices.
