Sea Cadets plans for new Connahs Quay HQ sunk after Flintshire Levelling Up Fund snub

Plans for a new Sea Cadets HQ in Connahs Quay have been left in tatters after Flintshire failed to secure any Levelling Up Funding.

The UK government revealed this week that 100 projects had won a share of £2.1bn from the second pot of funding released by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

A total of eleven projects in Wales have been handed more than £208 million from round two of the UK government Levelling Up Fund, non are in Flintshire. ‌

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Plans had been submitted by Connah’s Quay Sea Cadets to build a new headquarters and parade ground on Dock Road. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The proposed development aims to provide a new, purpose-built headquarters for the Sea Cadets, replacing their current facilities on Tuscan Way in the town. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A new Sea Cadets HQ formed part of Flintshire County Council’s £20m Levelling Up Fund Bid for Alyn and Deeside, plans are now on hold until alternative funding can be found.

“We intend to continue negotiations with the Council to secure a long term lease on the land we have identified on Dock Road to enable us to secure funding from elsewhere in the longer term.”

“The Unit Management Committee will meet on the 6th of February to discuss our options and a way forward.”

“We will keep you updated on any new developments and on behalf of everyone at the Unit we would like to thank you for your support for our application.”

Anger

Flintshire politicians reacted angrily at the UK Government’s decision to snub the county in the latest round of Levelling Up Fund.

Jack Sargeant, Mark Tami and Carolyn Thomas have described the snub as a “complete betrayal of Flintshire residents.”

In a statement the Prime Minister said Levelling Up Funding would create greater investment in local areas to create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.

Among areas to receive the funding from the Tory Government were the Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak’s affluent constituency of Richmond.

Flintshire submitted bids for projects which would see the redevelopment of Connah’s Quay Docks, a new Sea Cadets building and parade area on Dock Road, the redevelopment of Greenfield Business Park, and support the ongoing refurb of John Summers Clocktower. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Jack Sargeant said: “This is an absolute disgrace and shows the Tories don’t care about Flintshire.”

Mark Tami added: “The Tories promised to Level Up and have instead spent money in the Prime Ministers constituency instead of funding much needed projects here in Flintshire.”

Carolyn Thomas continued “This is the Tories all over, promise big and deliver nothing.”

Connah’s Quay Central Cllr Bernie Attridge expressed his disappointment over the rejection of the Levelling Up Fund and questioned the quality of the bid document submitted by Flintshire council to the UK government.

He said: “I am so disappointed that the Levelling Up Fund by UK Government for Connahs Quay has been rejected.”

“This was the money for the new sea cadets building and also regeneration of the docks.”

“I will be seeking An urgent statement from FCC regarding the quality of bid submitted and why once again Flintshire has been let down by UK Government.”