Ipswich Pride in Place £40 million plans explained

Stoke Park and Chantry and Whitehouse are Ipswich's two areas in the Government's Pride in Place Programme, with each able to receive up to £20m in funding and support over 10 years.

But what exactly is Pride in Place, what could the money be spent on and when will residents know what's happening?

Here is everything we know.

What is Pride in Place?

The Government describes Pride in Place as a long-term programme giving local people the power to shape the future of their neighbourhoods.

A total of 284 communities across the UK are included, with up to £20m of funding and support available for each place over a decade.

Possible projects include improving parks, green spaces and play areas, revitalising high streets and empty buildings, supporting community centres and youth activities, and making neighbourhoods safer and more welcoming.

Where is the money going in Ipswich?

Ipswich has two Pride in Place areas, meaning as much as £40m could be invested through the programme.

North Ipswich to benefit from £20million worth of funding (Image: Google)

They are Stoke Park and Chantry and Whitehouse.

Minutes from the Stoke Park and Chantry Neighbourhood Board said approximately £2m would be allocated annually over the 10-year programme, comprising £1.26m capital and £740,000 revenue funding per year.

The same board agreed in August to expand the programme boundary to include part of Sprites ward in Chantry.

Who decides how the money is spent?

A key part of Pride in Place is that decisions are intended to be led by local communities.

Each area has a Neighbourhood Board which works with residents to establish priorities and determine spending.

Government guidance says the boards should be resident-led, with more than half of members living or working in the neighbourhood, and must include the relevant MP and at least one ward councillor.

Each board must work with its wider community to produce a 10-year Pride in Place Plan setting out its vision and projects.

What could Ipswich get?

Chantry is one of the chosen areas (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Crucially, there is not yet a definitive list of projects on which Ipswich's potential £40m will be spent.

However, October minutes from the Whitehouse Neighbourhood Board reveal some of the priorities emerging from research and engagement so far.

These include supporting young people through activities, education, training and employment opportunities, developing community hubs and spaces and improving parks, play areas and green spaces.

The board's timetable aims to explore potential projects and investment opportunities in December before finalising its Pride in Place Plan in January and submitting it to Government in February 2027.

Government guidance gives 26 February 2027 as the deadline for the group including places added to the programme in March 2026.

What about the £1.5m Pride in Place fund?

Ipswich residents may also have heard about a £1.5m Pride in Place Impact Fund, but this is separate from the 10-year neighbourhood programme.

Council board minutes specifically describe the schemes as separate programmes with different objectives, governance arrangements and funding mechanisms.

The £1.5m Impact Fund has already awarded money to 25 organisations, charities and local groups across Ipswich to improve buildings and facilities.

Recipients include Murrayside Community Centre CIC, awarded £233,014.80, Eastern Angles Theatre Company, awarded £150,000, and YMCA Trinity, awarded £65,851.60.

What are people saying?

Jack Abbott says it will make a real long term difference (Image: Jack Abbott)

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott described Pride in Place as a “transformative level of investment” with the potential to make a “real long-term difference”.

He said: “Pride in Place is all about putting power back into the hands of local people, giving residents a genuine say over how this funding is used and what priorities it should support over the next decade.” He has also urged residents from different backgrounds to get involve.

What happens next?

For the longer-term Pride in Place programme, the major decisions are still to come.

Residents can help shape the programme by sharing their ideas and feedback and taking part in events, consultations or board working groups.

Once the plans are developed, they will set out how the neighbourhoods intend to use their share of what could eventually amount to up to £40m of investment in Ipswich over 10 years.

Chantry is one of the chosen areas