Brentwood Council has successfully bid for Dunton Garden Village to be included as part of the Government's Garden Villages, Towns and Cities programme.
The news was announced this morning and means that Brentwood Council will receive a share of the £6,000,000 pot that the Government has set up to help fund some of the research and detailed work that will be needed to deliver Dunton Garden Village.
Brentwood Borough Council has to identify space for 7,500 homes along with business and enterprise facilities for development over the next fifteen years, via the Local Development Plan. (LDP)
Leader of the Council, Louise McKinlay said, " This is very welcomed news as it not only recognises the approach that we have taken to delivering our LDP, but also supports the underpinning thread of the borough being made up of villages with the Town Centre at its heart. We want to protect the existing villages as far as possible and the creation of a new village settlement will help us do just that, whilst also complementing the borough."
The village will comprise 35% affordable and first time buyer homes and the additional funding from Government will help to carry out some of the background work that will be needed in regards to the impact on infrastructure, health, education and more, as the Council develops the full plan ahead of submission of the LDP later this year.
Councillor McKinlay added, "This isn't about just building new homes but everything that goes with them to create a place for people to live in a real community. Plans include a new all through school, the creation of a country park, healthcare facilities and a new shopping and leisure centre. It is an exciting project that can really deliver for generations to come."
The Council is waiting on the details of the contribution and will also be able to draw on the Government's expertise via Homes and Communities Agency.