£2m towards infrastructure improvements in Sleaford

The money will help to provide a new roundabout to provide access for a school and housing on the site between The Drove and the A15 known as the Sleaford West Sustainable Urban Extension.

The award is part of an £866 million investment by the Government to help unlock around 200,000 new homes around the country. Around 130 council-led projects will receive funding to support local work that will make housing developments viable and get much-needed homes built quicker.

The Sleaford West Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) is one of the key sites for growth identified in the recently-adopted Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

Only last year, North Kesteven District Council approved a Section 106 agreement for the SUE, which would result in a minimum of £8.6 million of developer contributions going towards the infrastructure needed for the development, including local facilities, such as health care and a community centre.

Other sites in Central Lincolnshire have also been allocated money from the fund. The Spa Road development in Lincoln could receive £2.8m to unlock 312 homes and The Gainsborough South SUE could be in line for £2.1m for road infrastructure.

Coun Richard Wright, Leader of NKDC, said: “This is brilliant news for the council, district and Central Lincolnshire as a whole.

“It is a strong vote of confidence by the Government and Homes England in our Local Plan.

“It recognises our excellent housing and economic development strategies, and our ability to deliver.”

Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Dr Caroline Johnson welcomed the announcement today.

The government investment could deliver 370 homes in Sleaford by 2022, and 1400 homes in total.

The funding announced is the first wave of funding from the £5 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund designed to help those struggling to afford a place of their own.

Dr Johnson said it was great news: “I want to make sure we can build the right homes in the right places and help the next generation to get the keys to a home of their own.

“I have made clear to ministers that housing is a vital issue to my constituents, and I welcome this as one of the many ways this Government is taking action to get Britain building homes again.”

Housing Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that 11 council-led projects across the East Midlands would get a share of the funding.

Mr Javid said: “My priority is building the homes this country desperately needs.

“This first wave of investment in projects across the East Midlands will help get up to 21,000 homes off the ground, making a huge difference to communities across the region.

“This is just one of the many ways this Government is taking action to get Britain building homes again.”

Chancellor Philip Hammond said: “This support will help us meet our ambitious plan of building 300,000 new homes each year and ensure we have enough housing in areas which need it most.”

Today’s announcement adds to the £2m allocated to NKDC last year through the The Single Local Growth Fund administered through the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership which will go towards improving the Sleaford road network to allow new housing, employment land and jobs to be delivered.