PROJECTS benefitting the landscape and well-being of coastal communities have netted cash backing in a new wave of funding.

The first £6m has been awarded to 16 successful ‘fast track’ projects, three dotted along the North-East and North Yorkshire coastline, which are ready to start this year.

It is estimated that the investment, from the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF), could help to create up to 1,100 jobs at the first 16 recipient projects.

The fund has been created by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Coastal Communities Fund money to help deliver sustainable growth and jobs across the Great British coast.

Sixteen ‘ready-to-go’ schemes were selected to start work to transform their communities in 2018-19, before the main round funding becomes available in April next year.

In turn, they could attract knock-on public and private sector co-funding of up to £2.4m.

A £60,000 grant has been awarded to a project to refurbish St Hilda’s Pit Head, a landmark industrial building, in South Shields.

It would transform it into a community, cultural and heritage hub, providing training, office, event and exhibition space.

Scarborough Construction Skills Village has won £896,568 grant to help tackle local unemployment and skills challenges.

The funding will support local people into new apprenticeships and jobs in the construction industry, particularly in micro and small construction companies.

Berwick Coastal Community Team, in north Northumberland, has landed a £304,000 grant.

It forms the bulk of the target of £324,000 sought by Berwick’s ‘Welcome Visitor’ project, to improve what the town can offer visitors and tourists, promoting new opportunities, events and products.

All are intended to encourage longer stays and extend the border town’s visitor season.

Coastal Communities Minister, Jake Berry, said: “It’s really exciting to see money from the Coastal Communities Fund help to kick start these ‘shovel-ready’ projects.

“They have the potential to unlock the barriers to development and growth in our coastal communities.

“Investment in our seaside areas, through projects such as these, will provide nothing short of a New Deal for the Great British coast, creating thousands of jobs, training places and opportunities along the shore.”

Applications for the next round of funding from the CCF are now being assessed.