UK Government announces more infrastructure funding to boost new homes

The latest injection of Government cash aimed at boosting new home building in the UK will see £6.2 million used to improve infrastructure in South Oxfordshire.

The money will be used to accelerate the northern perimeter road around Didcot which is needed for the Didcot Garden town to be built, bringing 15,000 new homes to the area by 2031.

‘We need to deliver the right infrastructure in the right places to speed up house building and deliver the homes this country needs. This will boost local growth and turbo charge the delivery of thousands of new homes,’ said Housing and Planning Minister, Alok Sharma.

Councillor John Cotton, leader of South Oxfordshire district council, pointed out that the project has been waiting for the completion of the road for years and the funds will mean that new housing can be provided sooner.

He added that once completed the road will relieve pressure elsewhere in the town and provide a real boost to other Garden Town proposals.

According to Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) chief executive Nick Walkley, it is an example of how infrastructure funding is needed to advance new home building and in the coming months the HCA will relaunch as Homes England with the ambition of creating a better housing market.

‘We’re determined to get more homes built now and increase the rate of future development.
This development is a fantastic example of how we fund infrastructure which is the vital first step in developing a new garden town, creating a new community and providing much needed homes and jobs,’ he added.

The Government is currently supporting 10 garden towns and 14 garden villages across England and Didcot Garden Town’s delivery plan sets out a vision for the development of high quality housing and the transformation of the local area.

A mix of affordable and private rented homes will be provided, along with new roads, new cycle paths, a leisure centre, new schools, shops and more green spaces. Guided by residents, the development promises to rejuvenate the area whilst retaining the unique character of Didcot town.

Other support to boost new homes include £2.6 million for the regeneration of Poole power station in Dorset, £1.25 million to fund infrastructure in the Waterside area of Nottingham, and £9.6 million for the development of Parkhurst Urban Village on the Isle of Wight.