LEWES District Council has secured three funding bids which represent a total cash injection of £5.1 million.

The money is from the Government’s Local Growth Fund awarded by Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.

The council will receive £2 million towards buying Springman House in North Street, Lewes, to allow for the relocation of Lewes Fire Station there, unlocking the North Street Quarter development.

The North Street Quarter will bring 416 new homes to the town, 40 per cent of which will be affordable, as well as providing a new health centre combining three surgeries and serving 26,000 patients in modern, purpose-built accommodation.

It will also complete the town’s flood defences and provide a new riverside walk and footbridge over the Ouse.

Two further bids – one from the council and one from a local landowner supported by the council – have also been agreed, totalling £3.1 million for sites across Newhaven Enterprise Zone.

The zone is due to launch in April and is expected to deliver 70,000sqm of new and refurbished employment floor space and protect or create 2,000 jobs in the town over the next 25 years.

The zone covers eight sites in the town, including the centre, areas in the port and on the quaysides.

This funding will help to overcome challenges on some of the sites and unlock growth, with work on new employment-generating developments due to start shortly.

Councillor Andy Smith, leader of Lewes District Council, said: “I am delighted Coast to Capital is lending financial support and showing regional recognition to these two hugely exciting projects for Lewes district.

“North Street Quarter is progressing very well and we are looking forward to it delivering a huge number of community benefits to Lewes including homes, flood defences, jobs and public spaces.

“Meanwhile, Newhaven is enjoying rapid growth and job creation, and the town’s new enterprise zone status will build on this even further.”

Coast to Capital’s chief executive Jonathan Sharrock said: “We are pleased to be supporting these important projects for our region.”