Spa projects given a cash boost

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DROITWICH is set to be handed more than £8,500 a year for community projects thanks to a new Government scheme to reward house building.

The Spa is one of a number of towns across the UK which will see additional money pumped into local projects as a result of the New Homes Bonus.

The scheme came into force last April and will see the Government match the additional council tax raised for new homes and empty properties which are brought back into use

For new or empty homes occupied between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011, the Government is allocating Wychavon an annual payment of £437,941 for the next six years.

A total of 40 per cent of that cash will be spent in communities where new development has taken place and the authority is now inviting parish and town councils to submit proposals for spending the money allocated to their area.

A total of 19 new homes were built in the town in the year up to September 30, 2011 but there was no change in the number of empty homes.

The cash can be used for any project which benefits local communities and could be used to improve a village hall, for flood protection schemes, play areas, setting up youth clubs or community transport schemes.

Contributions towards bus or car parking subsidies, establishing community orchards, allotments and community energy schemes will also be among the schemes to be considered.

Coun Paul Middlebrough, leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “Many councils nationally will just take this money to prop up their finances, however at Wychavon we think this money should be used to benefit the community in a wider sense.

“This is why we’re allocating it to those areas where development has taken place.

“I hope that this additional funding will be of great benefit to our local communities.

“I’d encourage residents in areas with allocations to speak to their parish and town councils if they have an idea for how the funding can be spent,” he added.

Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/newhomesbonus to see what areas in the district have been allocated cash.