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# Council chiefs say new Lichfield leisure centre will be built despite missing out on Levelling Up cash
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/council-chiefs-say-new-lichfield-leisure-centre-will-be-built-despite-missing-out-on-levelling-up-cash/
- Published: 2023-01-19T11:10:37.000Z
- Updated: 2023-01-19T11:10:46.000Z
- Description: Council chiefs say a new leisure centre will be built in Lichfield despite missing out on Levelling Up funding.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:07, News

Council chiefs say a new leisure centre will be built in Lichfield despite missing out on Levelling Up funding.

It is the second time Lichfield District Council has seen a bid for cash from the Government scheme turned down.

But despite missing out, the local authority says it will put forward a plan to allocate funding for the project at Stychbrook Park at a cabinet meeting next month.

If agreed by cabinet, the final stage of approval will be the full council meeting on 28th February, where the £10million of funding for the scheme – which will feature a six-lane swimming pool, dance studio, 3G pitch, fitness suite and spin studio – will be requested.

Lichfield District Council’s leader, Cllr Doug Pullen, said:

> “Although we are disappointed that our bid has been turned down, we were aware there was an only an outside chance of it being approved.  
>  
> “Therefore, we have been working behind the scenes so that we were prepared for this eventuality as we are committed to delivering the facilities that our residents have shown they want.  
>  
> “We have identified funding, are in a position to allocate it to the project and have a clear timeline in place to deliver this vital facility by the end of next year.”  
>  
> Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council

If successful, the planning application, based on a pre-existing design, will be submitted in March with works commencing in October.

The leisure centre would then be expected to open by December 2024.

## “Flaws in the application”

The confirmation Lichfield would not be getting up Levelling Up funding came earlier today (19th January).

The city’s Conservative MP [said “flaws in the application”](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfields-local-independent-news-publisher/) meant the project was rejected before reaching ministers for a final decision.

Michael Fabricant said:

> “I am told that flaws in the application meant it did not even reach the minister’s desk for consideration – it was ruled out as not meeting the required criteria by the civil service. Consequently, ministers did not even get to consider the bid.   
>  
> “As with the levelling up first round, ministers have offered to provide face to face training to council officers in how to make a successful bid and I hope this will be taken up this time.  
>  
> “A third levelling up round will soon be announced and I hope, if Lichfield acquires the expertise, it will be third time lucky for this or another project.”   
>  
> Michael Fabricant