Garden communities project wins £550,000 from government
Well, the government seems to like the look of the scheme, even if not all the locals do
As the three ‘garden communities’ proposed by Uttlesford District Council struggle to make progress (see here http://cpressex.org.uk/uttlesford-council-recommended-to-pull-its-local-plan-so-what-now-for-essex-garden-communities/), those included in the NEGC package put together by Braintree, Colchester and Tendring councils have been given a lift by the government.
NEGC (North Essex Garden Communities) has been given £550,000 by Westminster to progress its plans for the new communities at West Tey (24,000 homes), West of Braintree (13,000) and East of Colchester (9,000).
Predictably, the award – part of a £6 million handout to garden-community projects across the country – has gone down well at the local authorities behind the scheme.
John Spence, NEGC chairman and county council cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “We welcome the confirmation of extra funding which we were expecting from the government, which is a vote of confidence in our ability to deliver garden communities in north Essex through our partnership work.”
David King, of Colchester Borough Council, added: “I’m delighted the government has once again confirmed its support for garden communities.
“The government and our council partners know that garden communities are a much better way to deliver the new homes, jobs and supporting infrastructure needed for future generations across north Essex.”