These funds are earmarked for precisely the improvements residents want: improvements to local schools, better access to affordable housing, improved transport links, healthcare provisions, and public spaces. Specifically, £35 million of this has been committed to developments at the Newcastle Great Park and other major sites, but of this sum, only £6m has been released in the last year — leaving parks neglected, play areas unsafe, and community facilities under strain.
Leaving tens of millions untouched isn’t just a missed opportunity — it’s terrible optics.
Council bosses insist the money is ring-fenced for future schemes, but the refusal to prioritise short-term improvements has drawn fire from across the political spectrum. Independent councillor Marion Williams described Newcastle’s parks as “a mess,” while Liberal Democrat Peter Allen warned that areas like Jesmond Dene are in “desperate need” of investment.
Leaving tens of millions untouched isn’t just a missed opportunity — it’s terrible optics. Residents are entitled to ask whether slow spending comes down to incompetence or indifference. In reality, much of the money is legally tied to specific projects: cash from Great Park housing, for instance, can’t simply be diverted to fix playgrounds elsewhere. Big-ticket schemes like schools and transport infrastructure are complex and take time.
But none of that negates the frustration that communities feel. What people want is clarity and momentum. If major projects are in the pipeline, the council should be shouting about timelines, partners, and expected impact. Publish a clear roadmap. Show where and when the money will land.
And while the long-term builds are underway, unlock smaller, visible wins. Repair the parks. Refresh play areas. Back local facilities that residents use daily. Councillors already know where the pressure points are — and community voices should be brought directly into the decision-making process to ensure spending reflects lived realities.
But leaving £42m to gather dust while Newcastle’s public spaces decline is indefensible.
No one expects miracles. But leaving £42m to gather dust while Newcastle’s public spaces decline is indefensible. The city deserves investment now, not promises for some vague tomorrow.