Millions of pounds are set to be spent in Fenland creating a construction training hub at Wisbech, providing affordable homes in Manea, developing a skills facility in March and building new business space and a manufacturing launchpad in Chatteris.

Fenland District Council leaders have welcomed the £7.5m investment from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, which will bring jobs, economic grown and much-needed new homes.

The combined authority's board agreed funding for key projects at its meeting this week, when approval was also given to Fenland’s four ‘Growing Fenland’ Masterplans for Chatteris, March, Wisbech and Whittlesey.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor James Palmer said: “I’m proud that the Mayoral Combined Authority I lead is reversing the long decades of under investment in our Fenland towns. I’m determined that nobody should be left behind and our Masterplans for Growth are all about ensuring these communities share the economic success we’re building across the whole region - and have a real say in how their unique and historic towns evolve to embrace new opportunity.”

£3m from the Local Growth Fund for a construction training/incubator in Wisbech - a new facility on the College of West Anglia site to facilitate construction skills around modern methods of construction.

CWA Principal, David Pomfret, said:

"I’m delighted our bid has been approved from the CPCA that our Growth Deal application has been successful.  Capital funding is extremely hard to access currently and this is excellent news for the college.  We will be able to further improve facilities at the Wisbech campus and expand our curriculum offer."