Council Government Cash Bid - 3721

The Council has been successful in having the Borough identified as an area of ‘growth’ and will now be able to bid for funding from the Government for future developments.

The cash would be used for putting in vital infrastructure to support any new major development during the construction phase.

It follows news that the Borough will have to accommodate more than 10,300 new homes, 120 hectares of employment land, 30,000 square metres of new retail space and 40,000 square metres of new offices in the area over the next 20 years.

The Borough Council made an application for the area to be identified as a ‘New Growth Point’ last year. And today (Wed) the government announced the Council could get the extra money to help deliver the requirements in the regional plan – called the West Midland’s Regional Spatial Strategy.

Councillor Doug Davis, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “This is great news for the future of Stafford Borough. We are working extremely hard to deliver new plans for the area. This funding could provide a significant boost to the investment for infrastructure – for example highways, drainage and other important community facilities - to support the Council’s efforts to secure the best possible future for our local communities.

“I am very pleased that the Minister’s decision acknowledges the efforts put in by the Council so that the new Development Plan can be implemented.”

Twenty councils across the UK have been accepted as ‘New Growth Point’ areas.

Stafford Borough Council will now be in discussion with Government Office West Midlands to channel funding to the most relevant studies. For further information please contact the Borough Council or look at the web-site www.staffordbc.gov.uk/forwardplanning.