Welcome to Easthampshire.org

£10.69 million funding welcomed

Monday 8th of February 2010

Comments Have your say

Cllr Chris Wain, chair of Biodiversity PAG, Cllr Bill Wain, Mayor of Whitehill, Cllr David Parkinson, Leader of EHDC, Andrew Joy, Portfolio Holder for Whitehill Bordon, Daphne Gardner, EHDC Deputy Chief Executive

News that Whitehill Bordon has received £10.69 million of funding due to its Eco-town status has been welcomed by local councillors and MPs.

Cllr Andrew Joy, Portfolio Holder for Whitehill Bordon, said: "This is a massive financial boost for the town.

"We will be able to start work immediately on planned projects which will have a really positive effect on residents.

"We have consulted widely with the Policy Advisory Groups about what the community most wants and we will now get started on these plans.

"Free broadband for residents will be a technological leap and a tremendous   asset for the town.

"This is just the start of many exciting initiatives from which Whitehill Bordon will now benefit as a direct result of its Eco-town status."

You may also be interested in...

• £10.69 million boost to Eco-town
• £500,000 to make Whitehill Bordon homes more energy efficient

Cllr David Parkinson, Leader of EHDC, said: "This is a great day for the town and its residents.

"We can now start to deliver the facilities which are so desperately needed in Whitehill Bordon.

"Our vision of creating a green town is now becoming a reality."

Cllr Dr Bill Wain, Mayor of Whitehill Bordon, said: "I am delighted that biodiversity projects will benefit from this funding.

"It is fundamental to the Eco-town concept that the green infrastructure is planned and implemented before the housing infrastructure.

"Whitehill Bordon is unique among the four Eco-towns because of its wealth of internationally important wildlife in the special areas around the town."

Housing Minister John Healey today said: "Last year I gave the go-ahead to the first wave of world-leading eco-towns that will set the global standard for green living while helping tackle climate change and the shortage of affordable homes.

"Since then these four areas have done a huge amount of work to plan new homes designed and built to the toughest ever environmental standards. Today I'm backing them with £60m to help get these projects off the ground.

"But green living isn't just about homes. That's why this cash will also help transform local schools and create new transport links and energy sources. By the time the eco-towns are finished green living will already be a way of life for these communities.

"Local workers, including apprentices, will help build these pioneering homes and other projects. This will arm them with the new skills in green construction, giving them a head start on their career paths."

Schools Minister Vernon Coaker today said: "As the world faces ever greater challenges in tackling climate change, schools are a crucial part of our national effort towards a lower energy and greener Britain.

"With schools contributing around two per cent towards the UK's carbon footprint, we have a moral responsibility to reduce this and so last week we announced our plans to help schools be greener. Our £2.5 million of funding towards the eco-towns project will help set us on this road to new zero carbon schools and for reduced carbon emissions from existing schools with pilot projects in these areas.

"Our children deserve not only the best learning environments, but sustainable ones to protect the planet for their future and that of generations to come. The top supporters of these efforts are the young people themselves."

South East Regional Minister Jonathan Shaw said: "I congratulate East Hampshire District Council on securing its allocation of just over £10.5m which will enable it to develop a number of exemplar projects of the highest quality and demonstrate the potential of its Whitehill Bordon eco town plan.

"The funding will mean the council can really show residents in the areas what is possible with these innovative technologies and eco-town standards.

"Low carbon living not only benefits the environment, but presents opportunities close to home in the construction industry, for example, as we radically review how we build homes for the future.

"It is important however the eco town is not just a new community but becomes part of the identity of the area. I am pleased to see the bid includes every school child having the opportunity to get involved in activities to combat climate change when the town library and local primary schools are retrofitted with energy saving features.

"Last week Whitehill Bordon was one of 12 communities across the UK to be awarded up to £500,000 to help install new green technologies and lower carbon emissions. Residents will be able to take advantage of loans to help them install energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies which will save them energy and money.

"We must make changes in the way we live now to protect our planet for future generations."

There are new job opportunities working on this project. For more information please go to www.whitehillbordon.com