South East to get £22m development package

A £22 million funding package to help deliver more affordable homes, jobs and growth in the South-East was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott today.

The investment into the London-Stansted-Cambridge-Peterborough growth area will support new infrastructure projects vital to building sustainable communities. This includes better transport links, environmental improvements and re-claiming derelict land, the government said.

The package is designed to unlock brownfield areas, secure more than 2,000 new homes and fund masterplanning and site works across more than twenty potential developments.

Speaking at the launch of the Housing Quality Forum in Letchworth, Mr Prescott said: "It is just part of a comprehensive programme which will create real communities: the schools and nurseries, the hospitals and health centres, the shops and the pubs. Places in which everyone enjoys pride and prosperity."

Peterborough will receive almost £10 million to revitalise dilapidated areas of Peterborough's centre, and to enable the more rapid delivery of at least 2,000 new homes.

North London will receive £6.6 million to unlock brownfield sites and open up access to greenspaces as well as improving key transport hubs.

Stevenage will receive almost £5 million to develop and revitalise areas that are currently derelict or eyesores, helping to create a thriving, sustainable community, as well as providing 100 new affordable homes. The largest single project will be the redevelopment of the Ridgemond Park former school site. The project will relocate the current training centre to improved and refurbished facilities nearby and create 100 new homes on the site, 35 of which will be affordable.

The Deputy Prime Minister also announced the second allocation of the £350 million Planning Delivery Grant to help local authorities improve the planning system. In 2004/05 local authorities will receive £130 million.

(gmcg)