COUNCIL leaders in Hartlepool today (7 July) welcomed news that the town is set to benefit from the Government’s Local Growth Fund programme.

The Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – of which Hartlepool Council is a member agreed the Growth Deal which will see £90.3m invested in Tees Valley.

One of the first projects will see the creation of a brand new building at Cleveland College of Art & Design in Hartlepool – the only specialist provider of higher education for the creative industries in the North East.

Funding has also been earmarked for a major road improvement scheme at the A689/Wynyard to ease congestion and reduce journey times.

Cleveland College of Art & Design is located in Church Square – one of the eight key sites identified recently in the Hartlepool Vision which aims to revitalise the centre of Hartlepool, spark the town’s wider regeneration and lay the foundations for future prosperity.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, The Leader of Hartlepool Council, said: “This really is tremendous news. We’ve worked extremely hard through the Tees Valley

LEP to attract £8.3m of funding to Hartlepool for a brand new College.

“Part of the Hartlepool Vision is to create an innovation and skills quarter in the Church Street and Church Square area, and Cleveland College of Art & Design is a major player in helping to turn our ambition into reality.”

The news follows hard on the heels of a deal which Hartlepool Council helped to facilitate which is resulting in a 56 bed student accommodation facility on the former Crown House site, just a stone’s throw away from the College site.

Cleveland College of Art & Design Principal and Chief Executive Martin Raby said: “This is an outstanding opportunity to enhance the College’s growing reputation as a 21^st century school of art and design. I’m very grateful for the support of Hartlepool Borough Council and Tees Valley LEP in securing the funds for this project which aligns closely with plans for the development of the town, allowing us to expand our provision and bring more students in to Hartlepool ”.

Dave Stubbs, Hartlepool Council’s Chief Executive, added: “Today’s announcement is a massive boost to Hartlepool. This will enable Cleveland College of Art & Design to build on its already excellent reputation of producing highly trained graduates for creative industries.”