James Wild MP has welcomed ministers’ approval of the King’s Lynn Pride in Place Regeneration Plan, unlocking £20 million of investment over the next decade to support the town’s future.
The funding will help revitalise the town centre, strengthen local communities, and drive long-term economic growth across King’s Lynn. Ministers endorsed the local plan and thanked James for his work alongside the King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, recognising the effort that has gone into shaping a long-term vision for the town.
Extensive engagement has taken place with residents, businesses, local partners, the Borough Council, and the Board. The plan sets out improvements for priority areas including North Lynn, South Lynn, Gaywood, Fairstead and the town centre.
Key priorities include enhancing public spaces, improving walking and cycling connections, boosting connectivity, supporting cultural and heritage assets, and creating new opportunities for residents and businesses.
As part of the programme, a four-year investment plan will deliver early projects, including supporting neighbourhoods to develop local action plans, exploring new uses for the town centre, progressing the next phase of riverfront regeneration, and advancing plans for St George’s Guildhall and Creative Hub, both of which have seen good progress this year.
The approval follows significant community engagement, with around 1,100 people contributing through consultations, workshops, and local events to help shape the proposals.
Commenting, James Wild said:
“I am delighted we have achieved this important milestone in taking forward exciting plans based on the town’s rich heritage and identity, shaped by local people.
The £20 million investment will drive long-term change, creating better opportunities and facilities for residents, attracting more visitors to enjoy the riverfront and town centre, and supporting a stronger economy. Now we move into the next phase of bringing these projects to life, building on successes from earlier programmes, such as the new library and School of Nursing Studies.”
The submission to the government consists of a Ten Year Vision and a four year Investment Plan.
The Ten Year Vision sets out the following vision for the town:
King’s Lynn will be a successful town for everyone, with flourishing communities and new opportunities for people to live, work, visit and play. It will be easy to travel in to and throughout the town, in a healthy, safe, sustainable and welcoming place. There will be better facilities, things to do, and arts and culture for people of all ages which will mean we are able to achieve our town’s ambitions for:
- A vibrant, prosperous and attractive town with a wide offering and easy access to green spaces and our rich heritage
- A better connected town
- A town where people feel safe and well, that offers better life opportunities where healthy lives are supported
- A town where people are inspired to aim high and achieve their ambitions and better life opportunities
The Ten Year Vision also details these eight themes as the priorities for investment
Town Centre Revitalisation: Focus on bringing empty buildings back into use, enhancing market offerings, supporting the continued rejuvenation of key heritage assets, improving green spaces, regenerating the riverfront, and supporting independent businesses.
Neighbourhoods and Affordable Housing: Undertake neighbourhood renewal through community guided public realm improvements and collaborate with partners to coordinate services to deliver quality affordable homes.
Employment & Skills: Raise skills levels by continuing support for youth targeted programmes, providing opportunities for economically inactive & NEET youth people to move closer to training and employment.
Health & Wellbeing Infrastructure: Support improved, accessible and affordable leisure facilities and provision in local communities. Create opportunities for multi-agency service provision and improved access to physical activities for disadvantaged groups, particularly targeted at support in the communities aligned with other programmes and initiatives. Integrate health services and address health inequalities.
Transport Connectivity: support continued active travel improvements alongside wider network improvements to address congestion, reduce emissions and create a safe cycling network.
Safer Streets: Coordinate a multi-agency approach to effectively improve street safety and reduce the causes of anti-social behaviour. Improve public safety through infrastructure upgrades. Expand and develop successful local youth initiatives, providing regular positive engagement.
Education & Youth Engagement: Expand and enhance opportunities for youth development programmes, learning and skills development and positive activities for young people to raise aspirations and create civic pride.
Community Capacity Building: Providing support to strengthen skills, knowledge and resources to empower communities to enable positive change and grow social capital. Review and harness opportunities to improve community assets and spaces to meet local needs.
The following key projects are included in the first four year investment plan:
- St George’s Guildhall & Creative Hub
- Riverfront Regeneration Phase 2
- Community Capacity Building, Assets and Empowerment
- Town Centre Repurposing
