Plans for an eco-town at north west Bicester have been boosted by a Government announcement an extra pot of cash is going to be made available to the development.
The proposed 5,000-home eco-town was thought to be under threat after sweeping cuts introduced by the new Government earlier this year. However, new housing minister Grant Shapps MP has now said an extra £3m will be available to the development, on top of £9.7m cash that Cherwell District Council has already received.
The news was welcomed by the district council, Oxfordshire County Council and Bicester Town Council. Councillor Keith Mitchell CBE, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "The minister has quite reasonably reduced the pot available because of public expenditure reductions, but the good news is that the coalition Government is supporting Eco Bicester.
“We expect between one and three million pounds extra on top of what we already have in the bank."
The new money is not without strings - the minister wants to see evidence of the way councils and developers have taken on board the views of Bicester people. Initial plans for the site - the equivalent of 383 football pitches - include a monorail, three school and green businesses, as well as a bio-mass plant and a forest area.
Residents would be encouraged to work on site, creating up to 5,000 jobs at new businesses the district council hopes to attract to the development.
Councillor Debbie Pickford, leader of Bicester Town Council, said: "Bicester is in a really strong position regarding public engagement thanks to the recent and extensive consultation programme undertaken by our development partners, P3 Eco.
“We are now all considering the valuable feedback and how to take it into account and this will be an important item at the next meeting of the Strategic Delivery Board later this month."
In another boost for the scheme, Grant Schapps promised additional support for Bicester and other eco towns through the Government's planned housing incentive match-funding scheme, which will see significant funds rewarding every new and new affordable home which is built.
Councillor Michael Gibbard, portfolio holder for planning and housing at Cherwell District Council, said: "The new Government has new, exciting ideas to reward the delivery of eco houses and we intend that Bicester will be right at the front of the queue for that additional cash, which we want to invest in the town as a whole.
“Eco Bicester is full steam ahead and we expect the first planning application in the autumn."
