NEWTON ABBOT’s proposed ‘new town’ development at Houghton Barton is one of a cluster of projects across the south west likely to benefit from a £43.6 million cash boost announced by the government today (thurs).

The handout is expected to boost jobs and economic growth across the region, including the 1,800-home estate and link road project taking shape between Seale-Hayne and Forches Cross.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said the cash-aid package will also help improve the region’s broadband provision and promote developments in Plymouth, Bridgwater and Torbay.

The financial award of Local Growth Funding is on top of £195.5 million of Growth Deals funding already received by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. It aims to create more jobs and homes as well as giving a shot in the arm to extra investment.

Sajid Javid said: ‘This Government is backing Devon and Somerset with millions of pounds of investment for business projects, from the regeneration of Plymouth train station to high-tech engineering in Bridgwater.

‘It will enable local business leaders to create jobs, boost skills, improve infrastructure and give businesses in the two counties the support they need to help them reach their full potential.’   

Steve Hindley, chairman of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said: ‘We can and will deliver transformational growth in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay - with the right level of backing from government to create the right conditions and remove the barriers to poor productivity, including improved connectivity and investment in skills.

‘This latest round of Growth Deal funding helps us to achieve the step change that we aspire to, and we look forward to putting these ten new schemes into place to help us raise productivity for the area and generate rewarding careers for the people of the Heart of the South West.’

Devon County Council’s representative and Board Member for the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, said: ‘I am delighted that this funding will be coming to the South West.

‘It will be used to progress a range of really worthwhile projects that will benefit the economy of the region, particularly those positively impacting on Devon. 

‘There is, of course, a finite amount of money in the Government’s purse, and therefore I believe that we have done rather well in attracting this level of funding.’