COLCHESTER Council is set to be handed £5.5 million in Government cash to free up space to build 560 homes.

The money will be used to fund the Northern Gateway sports complex, which will eventually become home to Colchester Rugby Club and a number of other sports clubs from the town.

It will mean the rugby club's current 22-acre home, in Mill Road, will make way for 560 homes and a care home.

The cash is part of central Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund and will also be used to upgrade Axial Way and fund a new pedestrian boulevard, two access roads and other links to the main road network.

Colchester MP Will Quince said: "This is great news for Colchester.

"I am delighted to have played a part in securing this funding which will help provide the infrastructure our town needs.

"This is a great example of both local and central government working together and I am proud to have worked with them to deliver this funding for Colchester."

Gazette:

Chancellor Philip Hammond said: "Today marks the first step of the multi-billion pound investment we announced at the Budget to help build the homes our country needs.

"This fund finances vital infrastructure such as roads, schools and bridges, which will kick-start housing development in some of Britain’s highest-demand areas.

"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."

Gazette:

Housing Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Our priority is building the homes this country desperately needs.

"This first wave of investment totalling £866 million will help get up to 200,000 homes off the ground, making a huge difference to communities across the country.

"This is just one of the many ways this government is taking action to get Britain building homes again."

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "This bid is for £5.5m HIF funding to relocate Colchester rugby club and other associated sports facilities which will release and accelerate 22 acres for housing development providing 560 new residential units on the sports site."

Annie Feltham, Colchester councillor responsible for commercial services, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have secured such a substantial sum to support our investment in vital new infrastructure for the Colchester Northern Gateway development.

“This is an extremely exciting project that Colchester can be proud of and will bring numerous tangible benefits to the Borough including much-needed new housing and employment opportunities.

“This additional funding is recognition by the Government that Colchester is continuing to build on its reputation as a major centre for job creation and as a magnet for growth within the region – and deservedly so.”