A garden town has been given £580,000 from the Government to help it become a desirable place to live ahead of its official launch this year.

Harlow and Gilston Garden Town became a designated area in 2017, the investment will help deliver, green spaces, high quality homes, new jobs and fast, affordable public transport.

The project will also a network of walking and cycling routes, a new high-spec rapid bus system and a series of new communities between now and 2033.

Chairman of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town board, Guy Nicholson said: “This £580,000 extra investment from the Government will help the Garden Town Council partners realise a new chapter in the history of Harlow.”

“Everyone knows that Harlow is celebrated as one of the 60s best new towns but, after 70 years since its original development, the time has come to realise a new era for Harlow as a Garden Town for the 21st century.”

“Across Harlow and Gilston we will be creating a place that supports residents and neighbourhoods, is great to live and work in, and meets the needs of living in today’s world.”

Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon added: “I strongly welcome this major investment into our town.”

“The Government has made clear that Harlow is a top priority for investment, with millions of pounds to improve our road infrastructure, a new hospital, the £600m move of Public Health England to Harlow, the Enterprise Zone and millions of pounds for Harlow college.”

“We are building an even better Harlow. I will continue to work hard and do all I can to secure Government investment for Harlow.”

Councillor John Philip, planning portfolio holder for Epping Forest District Council also welcomed the news. He said: “The development of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town has reached another milestone.

“As the project gathers pace, it is a terrific example of what can be achieved by councils working together for the benefits of the wider community.”

The Town and County Planning Association define Garden Town developments as “holistically planned new settlements that aim to enhance the natural environment, tackle climate change and provide high quality housing locally and accessible jobs in beautiful, healthy and sociable communities.”

Epping Forest, Harlow and East Herts District Councils are the three lead authorities, working in partnership with Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils to help deliver the Garden Town.

The Harlow and Gilston development is one of 21 Garden Town projects across the country to benefit from the £8m funding pot.

The project is linked to Epping Forest District Council after being told to move some of the planned 11,400 homes by building them away from the district’s Green Belt within the next 15 years.

The 16,000 home settlement north of Harlow will help ease the demand for housing in the area.