Government funding released to create garden communities across the UK

A new government programme is set to create thousands of new homes and jobs in green neighbourhoods through £15m of funding.

The Housing Minister, Stuart Andrew MP, announced the funding through the Garden Communities programme over the weekend, which will build 16,000 homes across the UK per year from 2025.

The scheme aims to revitalise 43 towns and villages and places green and wildlife-friendly spaces at the centre of the project.  

Mr Andrew said: ‘Building beautiful new homes in the places they are most needed lies at the heart of the government’s levelling up mission.

‘Garden villages and towns are perfect examples of the vibrant, green communities we want to see right across the country and today’s funding will allow us to work hand-in-hand with local leaders and industry to deliver the high-quality new homes that we need.’

Funding is already planned to go to Long Marston in Warwickshire to build 3500 new homes, 35% of which will be required to be affordable, in a formerly disused airfield.

Halsnead Garden Village in Knowsley will also receive funding to build 1619 new homes along 22.5 hectares of land for new businesses.

A country park with wetlands and restored wildflower meadows will also be formed in the area to improve biodiversity.

Conrwall’s West Carclaze Garden Village will also get money to construct 1500 new homes and sustainable new community, with EPC A rated homes, to improve health and wellbeing.

This further investment builds upon the £69m already committed to the Garden Communities programme which aims to level up communities across the country.

200,000 jobs have been created through the scheme in schools, shops and offices built within each community in efforts to build up local economies.

Peter Freeman, Chair of Homes England, commented: ‘Working collaboratively and supporting locally led ambitions to deliver well-designed and great quality new places and communities in the right places is central to our mission.

‘This funding will support the delivery of much needed homes and bolster the local economy.’

In related news, eight community projects, including a boxing club, a historic pub and a farm, are set to benefit from more than £2.2m of government Levelling Up funding.

Photo by Nick Fewings