Sarah Newton, the Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, is encouraging local communities, charities and councils to bid for government funding to breathe new life into coastal landmarks that have fallen into disrepair.
The £1million Coastal Revival Fund will support the restoration of some of the nation’s most iconic and best-loved coastal architecture.
The fund, now in its third year, will provide grants to at-risk coastal heritage sites to fund repairs and restoration, or support large-scale projects to see them through to completion.
The government is inviting bids of up to £50,000 per project by Thursday 5 July 2018.
Several projects in Cornwall have received funding in previous rounds.
These include enhancements to the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society building in Falmouth, Smeaton’s Pier at St Ives, St Blazey Roundhouse and Turntable, St Austell Market House, Hayle Harbour, Portwrinkle Harbour and Porthcurno valley.
Mrs Newton said: “We all love our local coastline and it is also plays a vital role in Cornwall’s economy, history and culture.
“Regenerating a much-loved coastal landmark, such as a pier, park or promenade, could make a lasting difference to the local community and boost its appeal to residents and tourists.
“I would encourage local organisations to apply for funding if they have a suitable project in mind.”
The Coastal Revival Fund is in addition to a £40million investment in coastal communities announced last year.
It is part of a government pledge to invest over a quarter of a billion pounds in coastal communities by 2020.
Jake Berry, Coastal Communities Minister, said: “The protection of our iconic coastal landmarks plays an important role not just in making the Great British Coast an attractive tourist destination, but in regenerating our coastal communities and supporting them to grow.
“The launch of this new Coastal Revival Fund represents the government’s unwavering commitment to support coastal communities and we’re investing over £250million in our coastal areas by the end of the decade.”