Government pledges £100,000 of support for two local garden villages

The government has allocated £100,000 for two garden communities based in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts.

Berinsfield Garden Village will be receiving £50,000 towards the costs of work to help develop the village with new and refurbished community facilities as part of plans to build around 1,700 new homes. The other £50,000 will go to Dalton Barracks Garden Village to help put together a masterplan for a new community to be built that includes a variety of new homes, shops and business buildings, community facilities and green spaces that will help to enhance local wildlife.

This is the third year of the government’s support and forms a key part of the district councils’ ongoing work to create new garden villages with high-quality developments to include improved infrastructure, such as community hubs, new schools, shops, and cycle links with good connections to its surrounding areas.

The district councils will continue to work on projects and funding that help to address the climate change emergency through ideas such as introducing renewable energy and focusing on public transport, cycling and walking paths to encourage residents to use these methods rather than having to rely on car journeys. They will also provide clear plans on how to make new developments an attractive place to live with plenty of green open spaces that people can enjoy and other various initiatives that encourage residents to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Cllr Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Development and Infrastructure at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We’re pleased that the government has allocated the funds to help us develop the site at Dalton Barracks. Having garden status allows us to plan a whole new development, which can include better quality homes, community facilities and natural areas where wildlife can thrive, and our residents can enjoy.”

Cllr Robin Bennett, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We know that Berinsfield residents want improved services and facilities in the village, and this funding will help our team to build on the work they have already been doing with local organisations and the community to help make this happen.”

The district councils will continue to work with other garden community teams in the county and Homes England to share ideas and experiences as well as reviewing options on how other, more specialised projects can be applied in the districts and elsewhere.