Hendon and the East End are set to receive a once-in-a-generation investment of £20 million – and local people will be in the driving seat, deciding exactly how it is spent.
Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson has secured £2 million a year for the next decade through the Labour Government’s new Plan for Neighbourhoods fund. Hendon and the East End – alongside Thorney Close and Plains Farm – are among just a handful of communities chosen to pioneer this bold, community-led approach to regeneration.
The funding comes alongside a further £1.5 million to improve streets right across Sunderland, part of wider Labour investment in the city. Together, these announcements underline the message that Sunderland is on the up – with the Government, the Council and local people working hand in hand to deliver change.
The £20 million neighbourhood fund can be used for projects that matter most to residents – from revitalising high streets and transforming empty buildings, to improving parks, youth facilities and community safety. Crucially, it will be local people, not outsiders, who shape the vision and choose the priorities.
Lewis Atkinson MP said: “£20 million is coming to Hendon and the East End through Labour’s Plan for Neighbourhoods – alongside an extra £1.5 million to improve streets across Sunderland. Together, this is a game-changer for our city.
Since being elected, I’ve been fighting hard in Parliament for Sunderland – and now that work is paying off. Every year for the next decade, £2 million will be invested right here in Hendon and the East End.
What makes this so exciting is that you get to decide how it’s spent – whether that’s creating opportunities for young people, improving our parks, keeping our streets safe, or breathing life back into empty buildings.
Sunderland is on the up – and I’m determined that every neighbourhood feels the benefit. I’ll be sharing more details soon on how you can get involved, but in the meantime I’d love to hear your ideas. This is our chance to show what Sunderland can do when we lead the change ourselves.”
Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “This is fantastic news for the local community.
We’ve seen more investment in 14 months in the Long Streets from the Labour Government than we saw in 14 years under the previous government. That’s the difference having a Labour MP and local Labour councillors makes to our area.
I’m very much looking forward to working closely with residents and key partners to shape a shared vision that will transform the future of our community.”
Hendon Councillor Stephen Elms said: “As someone who lives in Hendon, I see every day the challenges and opportunities in our community. This investment gives us the chance to start addressing those issues and bring real, lasting improvements to the Hendon & The East End. I’ll be working hard to make sure it delivers what local people need most.”
Hendon Councillor Lynda Scanlan said: “I am delighted with the news that our Labour government is investing in our local area.
Having worked so closely with many different local groups over the years, I know how hard it has been trying to improve the local area with so little money being available for investment.
That’s why it is so amazing to finally have a government that is backing our ambition with real money that will absolutely make a huge difference to improving people’s lives.”
A new community board will be established to help guide the investment, with further details on how to get involved set to be published shortly.
In the meantime, Mr. Atkinson is calling on local people to share their ideas and ambitions for Hendon and the East End – you can get in touch with his office by emailing lewis.atkinson.mp@parliament.uk.
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