Home News Project receives Government funding boost

Project receives Government funding boost

24 May 2022

Otterpool Park has been allocated a total of £825,000 of capacity and infrastructure funding as part of £15m-worth of Government support to Garden Communities across England. The funding was announced by Housing Minister Stuart Andrew MP on Saturday 21 May 2022. 

A number of projects, including off-site cycle and pedestrian improvements, a mobility hub and a wastewater treatment works will be supported by the allocation of funding at Otterpool Park. An amended outline planning application for the new garden town, located in the Folkestone and Hythe district, was submitted on 31 March 2022. 

The Garden Communities programme will deliver up to 16,000 homes per year from 2025, driving growth across England, breathing life into 43 towns and villages and putting green, wildlife friendly spaces at the heart of new development.

It will also support nearly 200,000 jobs in the schools, shops and offices developed within each Garden Community, part of the Government’s drive to help people secure good jobs where they live, grow the economy and tackle the cost of living.

The programme provides support to progress long-term housing projects from their earliest stages. It enables local authorities to recruit specialist staff, undertake the required planning and receive advice and support from the housing delivery body, Homes England. 

Andy Jarrett, Otterpool Park LLP’s Managing Director said:

“There’s a great fit between our proposal and the Government’s housing aims, and we are proud to be part of the Garden Communities programme. Otterpool Park will add up to 10,000 homes to the Folkestone and Hythe district, in a new and attractive garden town community that has the facilities people need right from the start. It gives us the opportunity to design a beautiful new place that’s 50% green space and will deliver biodiversity gains. It will also be a template for 21st century development in terms of high-quality design, sustainability and ambition.

“Our share of funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities takes us another step closer to achieving this vision and we welcome the support that the Government is continuing to give towards the creation of Otterpool Park.”

Read the announcement in full here.

Keep in touch

Sign up for the latest news on events and progress at Otterpool Park.