A THIRD multi-million pound funding bid for community-based projects in Denbighshire will be submitted to the UK Government.

On December 14, Denbighshire County Council’s cabinet discussed the submission of a £20 million bid, under the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund programme, for the constituency of the Vale of Clwyd.

The Vale of Clwyd bid includes projects targeting town centre and environmental regeneration as well as enhancing public realm and greening in Rhyl and Prestatyn.

Other projects focus on Denbigh, Bodelwyddan and Rhuddlan and the bid as a whole focuses on bringing benefits to local communities including enhancing wellbeing while further enticing tourism and strengthening related economic activity.

The council's cabinet recently supported a bid for the Clwyd West constituency, being carried out with Conwy County Borough Council, focusing on Ruthin and the surrounding areas, as well as Moel Famau and Loggerheads country parks targeting cultural and heritage investment.

A £15 million bid for the Clwyd South constituency, which covers areas of Denbighshire and Wrexham, has already been approved and includes the implementation of the Trevor Basin Technical Masterplan, a project to support cross-border visitor connectivity in the Dee Valley and work to improve visitor connectivity and infrastructure in the Corwen area.

Each constituency area bid can be up to a maximum of £20 million of capital funding under the Levelling Up Fund programme.

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of the council and lead Member for the economy, said: “The Levelling Up Fund is an important source of funding to help further regeneration in Denbighshire.

"We have engaged with the Levelling Up agenda to bring forward the benefits of investing in our communities.

“This bid for the Vale of Clwyd enhances our commitment to town centre and environmental regeneration.

“This continues our work within communities to bring about a wide range of benefits for residents.

“We hope these projects will further entice tourism and strengthen the economy, creating jobs in Denbighshire.

“The combined bids submitted for Denbighshire under the Levelling Up Fund will total in the region of £35 million and regeneration is at the forefront of this work, allowing the council to work in partnership with, and in the heart of, our communities.”

Once finalised the bid will be submitted to the UK Government with a decision on the outcome of funding expected next year.

Dr James Davies, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said: “I believe the projects within the application will support economic recovery, through regeneration and growth.

"It is clear to me it is a local priority to restore a sense of pride to Rhyl town centre, as the bid proposes.

“The positive change this will bring can result in new opportunities and jobs for local people.

"I also very much welcome the plans for Denbigh, Prestatyn, Bodelwyddan, and Rhuddlan, which would make a difference to the everyday life of many in these towns – facilitating the success of local businesses, and encouraging active travel and well-being.”