Farnham & Bordon MP Gregory Stafford has heavily criticised the Government’s decision to exclude his entire constituency from the allocations under a new scheme announced over the weekend, known as ‘Pride in Place’.
Eligible neighbourhoods are granted up to £20 million over ten years, alongside a separate Impact Fund of up to £1.5 million per local authority, though only those selected by Government. Neither East Hampshire nor Waverley is on the published lists, meaning no allocation to Mr Stafford’s Surrey-Hampshire constituency.
Gregory is drawing particular attention to Whitehill & Bordon, where a long-term regeneration project continues. While some elements are progressing, including a new Sainsbury’s now under construction, other phases are still contingent on finance, market conditions and delivery sequencing. Health infrastructure plans – notably a proposed Health Hub to co-locate services – hold benefits, including those specifically cited by the Government as important under the new scheme, but remain on hold whilst negotiations continue between the local NHS and developers.
Gregory said:
“Our area has real, ongoing regeneration needs. Labour has cherry-picked authorities across the country leaving towns like Bordon without any targeted support. This sends the wrong signal to places trying to deliver steadily in tough conditions, particularly ahead of the Autumn Budget.”
In a letter to the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, Mr Stafford said:
“Residents will rightly ask how a visible programme of renewal can be passed over while other places are prioritised. These allocations appear disconnected from both the Government’s stated policy objectives and from the evidence of delivery.”
“If Pride in Place is to carry credibility, it should reinforce genuine local effort rather than overlook it.”
