14 January 2004
Growth areas in the South-East are to benefit from the development of green spaces, transport links and economic infrastructure.
New regional country parks, bridges and roads will improve the quality of life for thousands of people in the area. The package includes developing accessible green spaces for Thames Gateway, and £3m to regenerate the historic Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes.
Other projects in Ashford, London, Stanstead, Milton Keynes and Cambridge will receive £11.5m to improve landscapes, country footpaths and valuable habitats. Over £50m has been awarded to 18 other projects to provide key transport and economic infrastructure.
Minister for Regional Development and Regeneration Jeff Rooker said major growth in the wider South-East was needed to tackle long-term housing shortages.
"But we also intend to ensure that development is matched by a better environment with new regional country parks to give a high quality, large- scale green asset for new communities. This will also ensure good separation between urban centres.
"That is why I am announcing £63m to ensure that new housing is set in an attractive environment. We are avoiding the suburban sprawl of the past."
Projects include:
- A completely new country park to be created on farmland at Coton, west of Cambridge;
- New footpaths and bridges to improve access to the Lee Valley Regional Park in north-east London;
- Over £35m for the Milton Keynes South Midlands growth area. Flagship schemes include £10.6m for the construction of a new access road and bridge to enable early delivery of 3,400 new homes in Wellingborough and a new road at Bedford enabling 3,450 to be provided which would not otherwise go ahead.
The grants are part of a £164m package announced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in July 2003 to ensure that new and expanding communities have access to the services and open spaces they need.
The Government also announced steps to protect the Thames Gateway landscape for the public today in ‘Greening the Gateway’. The area contains the largest collection of brownfield sites close to a capital city in Europe.
delicious
digg
facebook
