CABE leads cultural regeneration of seaside towns » Local government » 24dash.com

A new outdoor performance space for dance in Blackpool, arts studios and a Napoleonic fort in Torbay and secret wartime tunnels in Dover have all won funding from Sea Change, a CABE-led coastal regeneration programme.

These are the first grants to be awarded in the programme, which will give £45 million to coastal resorts over three years. The DCMS scheme aims to boost coastal areas through investment in culture and heritage.

Blackpool will receive £4 million to create a 20,000 capacity outdoor performance space to showcase cultural events on the central seafront, enhancing its reputation as the capital of dance. In addition, the streetscape from the Tower to the Headland will be redesigned and enhanced.

Plans for a possible cable car at a heritage site in Dover from the Western Dock to the Castle will be developed after just over £3.8 million was awarded to the city.

Improvements around the historic castle, including updating the secret wartime tunnels, will allow new presentations of its history and heritage. The Bleriot Monument, which commemorates the first cross channel flight will also be refurbished.

Torbay is the third seaside resort to benefit from a large grant with just over £2.2 million being awarded to develop two projects in their English Riviera Geopark.

Artistic regeneration is at the heart of the plans with the creation of ten new studios as well as gallery space and a refurbished visitor centre. The funding also means people will have better access to Berry Head on the Edge, which is home to a Napoleonic fort and the largest guillemot colony on the Channel coast.

CABE Chief executive Richard Simmons likes the way that Blackpool, Dover and Torbay have all demonstrated a fresh approach to the use of design and culture to aid regeneration.

“What is important about these projects is that they embed good design and culture as a catalyst for quality place making," he said.