Southampton City Council announces Levelling Up bid success

Southampton City Council has announced that one of its Levelling Up Fund bids has been successful, paving the way for the council to expand inclusive access to sport and opportunities for physical activity at the city's Outdoor Sports Centre.

The move comes as a result of a 12-week public consultation held in 2021, in which 97 per cent of respondents expressed support for improvements to the Outdoor Sports Centre, and 85 per cent said they would use the facility more frequently if the proposed changes were implemented.

The Levelling Up Fund, established to support projects that reduce inequality and improve quality of life in communities across the UK, will provide the necessary funding for the council to carry out the planned improvements to the Outdoor Sports Centre.

The Masterplan of Improvements, which is expected to deliver £98.8 million in monetised benefits, will also serve as a legacy of the UEFA Women's Euros tournament held in Southampton in 2021.

Councillor Lorna Fielker, Deputy Leader of Southampton City Council and Cabinet Member for Health, Adults, and Leisure said, "I am delighted that Southampton City Council has been successful in its bid for funding to make ambitious improvements to the Outdoor Sports Centre.

“It's so important to have a sports facility in Southampton that supports target groups and focuses on accessibility and inclusivity in sport, which is why winning the Levelling Up Funding was crucial as it will help to dramatically increase opportunities for communities across the city to increase their level of physical activity."

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While the council's bids for funding for the Heart of the City and Riverside Protection projects were unsuccessful, it will continue to explore alternative funding sources and future bidding opportunities for the remaining projects within Bargate Square, Mayflower Park, and City Centre transport improvements on Queensway north and Hanover Square.

The council will also continue to develop the proposed flood defence through the River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme, which has already secured £34 million in funding from Flood Defence Grant in Aid.

Councillor Satvir Kaur, Leader of Southampton City Council, said: “Winning the bid for inclusive access to sport is great news and a vote of confidence in Southampton’s ambition, capability, and vision. Improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Southampton’s people is a top priority for the council and this project is a cornerstone in achieving this objective.

“Although the bids for Heart of the City and Drivers Wharf Riverside Protection were unsuccessful, there is much work to be done across those projects as we look to alternative funding arrangements and revised timescales to deliver them”.

Councillor Sarah Bogle, Cabinet Member for Economic Development said: "We are ambitious for Southampton; the new Renaissance board, which will bring together stakeholders in the city to drive forward key regeneration sites, will also help support our goal for much greater investment in our great city building on the LUF success".

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