Witney News - Full backing for Oxfordshire Housing and Growth deal

Full backing for Oxfordshire Housing and Growth deal

West Oxfordshire District Council is backing a deal set to unlock funding to provide thousands of homes and deliver major infrastructure upgrades in key areas such as the A40.

Cllr James Mills, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, believes the £215m Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal is key to the delivery of the county’s needs and future potential as a world-class economy.

He said: “Residents are continually asking about infrastructure and this Deal will not only help with that but will also be seen as a down payment for the county with more funding to come.

“Oxfordshire is already a successful part of UKplc contributing £22bn to the Exchequer and the Government wants to build on that success to deliver more housing and economic growth.

“In West Oxfordshire, this is an opportunity to resolve some of our infrastructure problems and deliver more affordable housing.”

The Housing and Growth Deal, announced by Government in its Autumn Budget Statement, will provide £215m of funding over a five year period.

This funding will support the delivery of around 100,000 new homes and infrastructure developments, as outlined in each Council’s emerging Local Plan.

Full agreement of the Deal with Government is subject to agreement by each of the Oxfordshire local authorities.
The Oxfordshire Growth Board comprises the county’s six councils – Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council, together with representatives of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), which includes the two Universities.