MORE than £10 million in government funding has been allocated to deliver 3,500 new homes on the Manydown development.

The announcement made yesterday by housing secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor Philip Hammond comes after Manydown was named as one of the 32 council-led projects across the south east to get funding to support work that will make housing developments more viable and get homes built quicker.

This grant of £10.3 million is part of the first wave of funding from the government’s £5 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller praised the allocation of funds saying it shows the government’s commitment to the town.

Mrs Miller said: “This demonstrates the continued support Basingstoke is receiving from central government to develop new infrastructure alongside new homes.

“The borough has seen a new Police station, new fire station, and record investment in roads and schools. I will continue to work with ministers and the council leader to ensure Basingstoke's ambitions to provide the homes we need for our community are matched with infrastructure investment.”

As joint-land owners Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council have applied for outline planning permission to build 3,500 new homes on the site.

The £10.3 million funding, in response to a successful bid led by the borough council and supported by the county council, will cover the main site entrance junctions onto the A339 and B3400, to be carried out as part of larger package of enabling infrastructure work by 2020/1.

Leader of the borough council, Councillor Clive Sanders said: It’s great news for the borough and a great show of support from government for our vision of well-planned growth. We are now clearly on their list of key towns for the future. It’s also a recognition that growth has to be accompanied by infrastructure that gives a dividend for those who already live here as well as new residents and the need to support our communities.

“This is another step to making the most of the great opportunity that is Basingstoke and Deane and I hope there is more to come.”

Leader of the county council Cllr Roy Perry added: "As joint landowner of this key site, we welcome this investment which will support the delivery of a high quality community at Manydown. We want to see a development of which we can all be proud, and which allows people the opportunity to step on to the housing ladder, grow their families and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

“This funding from government signals their confidence in our good work, and in our planning for the long-term future of this community – and helping ensure the right infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of generations to come.”

To find out more about the development visit manydownbasingstoke.co.uk.