A COUNCIL leader is claiming a town is “on the threshold of unprecedented levels of prosperity”.

Councillor Andy Smith, leader of Lewes District Council, says Newhaven has potential which could see it become one of the most powerful economic hubs in the South East.

Newhaven has suffered decades of decline and is often portrayed as a deprived area.

Councillor Smith was speaking after the Government agreed funding for a new £23 million port access road.

The road will provide direct access to the East Quay area of Newhaven Port unlocking 80,000 square metres of business space, generating up to 1,500 jobs and taking HGV traffic away from unsuitable roads in the town.

Cllr Smith said: “There is a tangible energy behind the regeneration of Newhaven that has the potential to fuel an unprecedented era of prosperity in the town.

“When you consider the various tranches of major investment being committed by the district council and our partners at Coast To Capital and East Sussex County Council alongside the strategic focus on the Newhaven Enterprise Zone, we could be looking at a new economic powerhouse in the South East.”

The news about the funding for the link road follows the announcement earlier this year that Lewes District Council is planning a multi-million-pound transformation of Newhaven town centre.

The £38 million mixed-use scheme will create hundreds of jobs in the construction, retail and hotel sectors, while generating an extra £100 million of inward investment into the local economy.

Councillor Smith said: “The direction of travel is ambitious and won’t be without the sorts of challenges that divide opinion.

“Some discord is inevitable.

“However, I believe that we can and will coalesce around a shared determination to transform Newhaven and establish a town where generations of local people and businesses will thrive and prosper.”

Last week we reported that a new community fund has been launched to support charities and groups.

Newhaven Enterprise Zone has started the Newhaven EZ Community Fund with £25,000 in grants up for grabs.

The launch took place at Newhaven’s Festival Of Belonging and applications are now open for grants up to £5,000.