Ref: PR2654
Date: 28/07/2010

Over the next ten years at least £1 million of lottery good cause funding is to flow into the Warwick Estate in Knottingley, as the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) announces the first 50 areas across England to benefit from its Big Local Trust programme.

BIG is investing up to £200 million over the next ten years to help turn up to 150 urban and rural neighbourhoods into better places for everyone to live.

An independent charitable trust will be set up to run the programme and today BIG is calling for expressions of interest from organisations who wish to apply to run the Trust. In the meantime, BIG will be working with a wide range of local organisations, residents and the Wakefield Together Partnership in Knottingley.

Cllr Peter Box, Chair of Wakefield Together, said: "This is excellent news for the people of the Warwick estate and an opportunity to make a big difference to the quality of life on this estate.  I look forward to seeing plans to spend this money taking shape and I encourage residents to get involved in shaping their future." 

Wakefield Council Cabinet Member and Knottingley Ward Councillor Graham Stokes stated:  ‘’We are delighted to secure this funding. Although applications were also submitted for other areas within Wakefield - we do recognise that Warwick is only one of 50 areas to receive this funding across England. I will be talking to local residents, the Wakefield Together Partnership and the Big Local Trust to agree key priorities for development on the estate for the years to come’’.
 
Visit the Big Local part of the Big Lottery Fund’s website for more information (see 'Related Links').

Notes:
Wakefield Together is the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) for the Wakefield district and brings together key agencies including the Council and the Police who deliver services and activities that affect the lives of people who live, work, visit and do business in the area.