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Growing Places Funding offered to Eastover Hotel development project

A new project designed to create jobs and boost economic growth has been offered £4.5m of funding from the Growing Places Fund (GPF) by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The Eastover Hotel is a new development set to transform the Eastover area of Sedgemoor.

The multi-million pound regeneration project will comprise a new 4 star 80 bedroom hotel with roof top restaurant and conference facilities as well as number of commercial units – it is anticipated that the hotel will help meet demand for bed spaces generated by the Hinkley Point project.

The project has been offered financial assistance under the £21.5m Growing Places Fund, which aims to use infrastructure projects to drive economic growth in the area.   The initiative is designed to restart stalled capital projects that are ready to commence, but have been postponed for financial reasons: applicants will be required to repay the fund, so the funds can be revolved and invested into different future projects.

Chris Garcia, Chief Executive of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We are really pleased to be offering this project funds under GPF. This project will help to transform Sedgemoor, providing a unique opportunity for economic regeneration in the area.

“The Growing Places Fund set out to kick-start projects and revitalise communities and this project will meet both of these aims.”

Duncan McGinty, Leader of Sedgemoor District Council said: “This is a huge investment into Sedgemoor and will completely change the economy of the area, by improving local infrastructure and create 300 new jobs in construction, hospitality and retail sectors. The project is identified as a priority within the Eastover vision supplementary planning document.”

Deepak Chainrai, Director of DC Homes & Investments Ltd: “We are excited about this pioneering project and believe it will be a catalyst to transform the area. We are grateful for all the support from both Sedgemoor Council and the LEP. ”

The project has now undertaken the final step in the process and the formal funding agreement has been signed.   It is expected that work will begin this November and the project will be completed in early 2016.

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      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.