Stratford-on-Avon District Council has today, Friday 25 October, launched a New Homes Bonus Grants Scheme to support projects across the District that aim to enhance existing, or create new community facilities and activities.
A total budget of £119,400 has been made available by the District Council through the Government's New Homes Bonus Scheme
Applications from organisations across the District including Town and Parish Councils, voluntary community groups that are constituted are invited to apply for grants between £500 and up to £10,000 (including vat) per project.
The District Council is particularly keen to hear from applicants whose projects can demonstrate that they will improve the sustainability and economic benefit of communities.
Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: “The new homes bonus will ensure that those communities that go for growth reap the benefits of development, not just the costs. By investing some of the New Homes Bonus in areas where new development has taken place, we hope to build even stronger communities across Stratford-on-Avon District. By creating this new grants scheme we are giving Town and Parish Councils a role in coming forward with spending proposals for the benefit of their own community."
For further information about the New Homes Bonus Grant scheme and how to apply, contact Lana Long on 01789 260609 or email: lana.long@stratford-dc.gov.uk Details are also available on the District Council's website at www.stratford.gov.uk/NHBGS.
The government introduced the New Homes Bonus in April 2011. The bonus is designed to ensure that the economic benefits of housing growth are returned to the councils and communities where that growth takes place. The scheme is intended to be a permanent feature of local government funding.
For every new home built and occupied in Stratford-on-Avon District, the government gives the District Council an unringfenced New Homes Bonus grant each year for six years.
Stratford District Council has allocated 20% of the bonus for reinvestment in local communities in the District, for the next 2 years, where the development that has generated it has taken place.
The District Council has now approved a scheme invited parish and town councils to submit proposals for spending New Homes Bonus allocations for their area.
