Mayors from two Norfolk towns have expressed their disappointment after missing out on funding which would have paid for landmark projects.
The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced 105 new projects it is pouring £1.7 billion into earlier this month - but bids to improve sports facilities in Fakenham and public spaces in Cromer were turned down.
The rejected bids saw the North Norfolk MP, Duncan Baker hit out at the Liberal Democrat-controlled North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) for failing to bid on a much-wished-for roundabout on Sheringham's Holway Road.
The Fakenham bid was for almost £11 million to pay for extensions to the Fakenham Sports and Fitness Centre on Trap Lane.
The council wanted to add a 25-metre, four-lane swimming pool with a moveable floor, as well as a 3G all-weather artificial grass pitch.
Fakenham mayor Angela Glynn said: “The results of the levelling-up bid were understandably disappointing for the town to hear, particularly as we were in the 'tier one' category of need.
"Some 'tier two' areas were successful, which rather rubs salt into the wound.”
Mrs Glynn said that the council was determined to carry on with finding bids for a multi-use games area to install at Trap Lane. She said: “If the town cannot have a pool at present, it can, at least, have better games facilities.”
In Cromer, the council asked for £8.5 million for several improvements, including to public areas and infrastructure in and around the town's clifftop gardens and wild spaces, and a network of walking and cycling routes was proposed to improve routes between the beach and the town centre.
Pat West, Cromer's mayor, echoed the feeling from Fakenham.
He said: “To say we are disappointed would be an understatement.
“I was involved right from the start with the district council. I thought the application was very comprehensive and we were not expecting not to be granted at least something.
“We are investigating other avenues of funding to see if we could start any part of the projects, obviously there is more deprivation in our community than what people think.
“We are extremely grateful to NNDC for all their hard work and hours of effort.”
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