Councillors in Hucknall have spoken of their frustration after the Government again delayed any decision on their Levelling Up Fund bid for the town.

Ashfield District Council submitted an £11million bid to the Government's Levelling Up Fund for the revitalisation of Hucknall town centre earlier this year.

The decision on whether or not the bid was successful had been expected this week but the Government has written to Ashfield District Council bosses confirming the delay. 

This is the second time the announcement has been delayed. A decision was originally expected in late October. When he became Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak promised that successful second-round bids would be announced "…by the end of the year". Now councils have been told that any decision will not be made until late January. The delay will also impact bids in Bulwell, Nottingham City and across Nottinghamshire.

Councillor John Wilmott, who represents Hucknall North for the Ashfield Independents on both Ashfield District and Nottinghamshire County Council was disappointed by the delay.

He said: "Government rules on applications are strict and deadlines for applications must be met in this ultra-competitive process. The Government have now missed their own deadline twice which is incredibly frustrating. 

"We want to get on with the job of transforming Hucknall. Rishi Sunak and the Chancellor were very clear about making a decision by the end of 2022. We've been on tenterhooks all week watching, waiting to kickstart our plans to transform Hucknall. It would have been a great Christmas present for residents – now we will have to wait until January."

Councillor Lee Waters, who as well as being on the District Council, represents Hucknall South on Nottinghamshire County Council, part of which includes Hucknall Town Centre, remains upbeat about the bid.

He said: "Residents have welcomed our plans which include huge improvements to the Hucknall Transport interchange. If successful, it will lead to many more millions being unlocked. We have worked on this bid for close to two years – so I suppose another month won't hurt unduly. 

"We remain hugely ambitious, and residents recognise that this will be the biggest investment in our town for decades. It will focus on improving the life chances of residents, turbo charging investment, fast tracking public transport improvements – all whilst remembering our heritage."