Growth Area Funding: Round 1

This page provides examples of the types of schemes in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area that have been supported by funding from the first round of Growth Areas Fund.

Northampton Brownfield Joint Initiative

This project led by English Partnerships and Northampton Borough Council aims to regenerate 97 hectares of land on three major sites along the River Nene Valley, close to Northampton Town Centre. This redevelopment will create around 1,000 new homes and over 1,000 jobs (300 relocated). Based on the successful delivery of the Brownfield Initiative to date, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation has approved the investment of Growth Area Funding for a further phase of this Initiative. This phase will support additional land regeneration, building more homes and will deliver a second phase of strategic flood mitigation for Northampton.

Fit for Market and Invest Northamptonshire

Led by Northamptonshire County Council, the investment promotion agency Invest Northants was set up to promote business growth and job-creation through increasing investment by new and existing businesses. Invest Northants works closely with the Fit for Market project, which funds the regeneration of disused land or premises to make them fit for commercial use. In February 2006, additional funding from the second round of Growth Areas Funding was awarded to Invest Northants and the Fit for Market project to continue this important work and build on their earlier successes, aiming to create at least 1,200 jobs over the next two years.

Bletchley Park (Milton Keynes)

Led by English Partnerships and the Bletchley Park trust this project aims to secure the conservation-led regeneration of Bletchley Park, a site renowned for the war-time work in breaking the Enigma Code. The development potential of the site will be unlocked through the provision of a development framework and advance infrastructure to bring the historically important buildings into productive use.

Kingsbury Public Realm (Aylesbury)

Communities and Local Government has provided funding to regenerate Kingsbury, one of the town's main squares. This will help to balance the main focus of town centre regeneration on the opposite side of the town's retail core. The project includes maximising the area given over to pedestrians and improving the appearance of the square, including fountains and an innovative water clock.

Bedford i-Lab

A project led by Bedford Borough Council and East of England Development Agency (EEDA), which will provide workspace for around 400 jobs for new and upcoming business, focusing on attracting innovation led and knowledge based companies as well as general business sectors.

The Forest of Marston Vale

The Forest of Marston Vale is working to transform 61 square miles of land in a key location with a long-term aim of achieving 30 per cent woodland cover. The Department is supporting several projects worth £2.7m; these include The Green Gateway to Bedford, new community woodland at Houghton Conquest and greenspace planned for Shortstown.

Dunstable Downs new visitor facilities, habitat restoration

Dunstable Downs will be the natural focus and attraction for the growing Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis area. It is the primary "Gateway to the Chilterns". The Department is providing £1.5m worth of funding for new flagship facilities to accommodate additional visitors and will allow for restoration and management of the chalk download and the creation of new recreational open space.