Stantec supports UK councils in securing £71.5m of Levelling Up Funding

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has supported local authorities across the UK in successfully bidding for more than £71.5 million worth of levelling up funding.

After working closely with Stantec, Reading Borough Council, Dundee City Council, East Lothian Council, and Shetland Islands Council have all seen their projects receive investment as part of the second round of levelling up funding.

The Fair Isle Ferry Project in the Shetland Islands is a vital scheme that will help improve accessibility to the remote but globally significant island, through the conversion of two ports, and the inclusion of a new ferry service. Stantec has worked closely with the council and the community since 2015 to support the bid, helping navigate extremely complex planning processes and outlining a robust case to secure the survival of the island. Nearly £27 million has been guaranteed for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle. The service will act as a lifeline for the local communities.

Stantec also worked with East Lothian Council on a successful bid which will provide nearly £11.3 million of funding to help free up land at the former coal fired Cockenzie power station. The remediation and preparation works will support future green regeneration and the development of one of Scotland’s fastest growing local authority areas, as well as the wider Edinburgh City Region. Stantec provided vital updates to the project's masterplan and subsequent bid submission, including a socioeconomic baseline assessment, capital cost estimates, and detailed economic modelling of the potential project benefits.

In Dundee, £14 million will go towards redeveloping a multi-storey car park into a sustainable transport hub, creating 350 solar-powered electrical vehicle charging points, car share spaces, and an e-bike hire scheme. Due to the unique nature of the project, Stantec developed an innovative impact assessment to make the economic case for the works, while ensuring compliance with Department for Transport Appraisal Guidance. The scheme will help connect and futureproof local transport infrastructure and put in place the solutions needed for the city to thrive in the post fossil-fuel world. 

Outside of the trio of Scottish wins, the team at Barton Willmore, now Stantec provided support to Reading Borough Council to transform the much-loved Hexagon Theatre and build a new modern library in the heart of the town. The firm’s architecture, urban design, planning and graphics teams worked in parallel with theatre specialists Charcoal Blue to develop a feasibility design for a new iconic 200-seat studio theatre. This allowed the client to carry out a detailed high-level assessment of the construction costs which was vital for their successful bid. A comprehensive and captivating vision document was also created by the graphics team to give the bid a sense of cohesion. In an environment where many town centres are in a state of decline, this project will help Reading foster a more vibrant and culture-driven community.

Stephen Findlay, Senior Associate Economist, commented: “We’re proud to have supported these essential projects in gaining funding which will help futureproof communities across the UK. Developing local economies in the most sustainable and forward-thinking way is so important when looking at our resilience on a national level.

“True ‘levelling up’ will always require the most innovative thinking, as well as detailed local knowledge and a collaborative approach. We make sure that we leverage our global experience and pair this with our regional expertise to ensure we create the best solution for any local authority.”

“At the same time, our funding toolkit and extensive level of experience also puts Stantec in a great position to support councils who may have been unsuccessful on this occasion in finding alternative funding routes.”

Learn more about Stantec's economic development services here.

To gain an overview of Stantec’s overall success when it comes to supporting local authorities in securing levelling up funding, view Stantec’s interactive brochure here.

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.

We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

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Media Contact
Calum Metcalfe
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: +44 1612 458904
Calum.Metcalfe@stantec.com