Five ‘forgotten’ communities win £1m windfall

Goldthorpe in Barnsley, Keighley Valley in Bradford, Westfield in Sheffield, Withernsea in the East Riding, Tang Hall in York and Selby are among 50 places nationwide to be chosen for the cash.

The funds will be administered by Local Trust, a body set up by the Big Lottery Fund to ensure the cash granted to communities is properly used.

Nat Sloane, the chairman of Big Lottery Fund England said: “These areas have for many years been overlooked and have missed out on vital funding and resources.

“They have people who are high on aspiration but until now have been low on opportunity.

“Through our long-term funding, commitment, training and support over at least the next ten years, we will redress that balance; giving them the power, confidence and ability to spend this funding in the ways that matter most to their community.”

The Warwick estate in Knottingley has already received £1m in an earlier round of Big Local grants, and Local Trust said the cash had improved lives.

Debbie Ladds, its chief exective said: “We believe we can achieve lasting change in communities.”