GARDEN communities project in Manydown development receives government funding.

The government has announced that it will provide £660,000 of funding to help create sustainable green communities at Manydown under the National Garden Communities programme.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council are the joint owners of a long lease on 2,000 acres at Manydown, with plans to develop the land into garden communities in Western Basingstoke.

These plans have been recognised by the government’s Garden Communities Programme, which provides support to progress long-term strategic housing projects from their earliest stages.

This latest funding brings total central government support for master planning across the Manydown land to over £3.7 million.

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Awarded by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the funding is to support specialist work needed to plan for well-designed homes, facilities, infrastructure and green spaces in the new communities.

Announcing the funding on Saturday, May 21 Housing Minister Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP said: “Garden villages and towns are perfect examples of the vibrant, green communities we want to see right across the country.

“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.”

The new funds will contribute towards technical studies and infrastructure planning for the southern part of the Manydown land, as the councils consider how sustainable new communities could be brought forward there over the next 30 years.

The Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cabinet Member leading on Manydown Cllr John Izett said: "Our aim is to build beautiful homes at Manydown that our residents will adore.

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“Securing government support to ensure that the new communities created will be well planned and be equipped with the right roads, schools, and doctors’ surgeries is a vital next stage in the evolution of Manydown South."

The councils are taking a comprehensive approach to planning the infrastructure of the communities built at Manydown, as well as ensure that they produce net zero carbon emissions.

To do this, the councils are working with the Society of Merchant Venturers as an adjacent landowner as they promote the land for allocation for employment and housing development in the updated local plan.

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