A programme of work to provide future generations with great-quality homes, job opportunities and a vibrant new community in Tewkesbury has been given a major boost.

Tewkesbury Borough Council has been awarded £2.4m by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's (MHCLG) Garden Communities Programme to contribute to the operational costs of delivering its Garden Town Programme in the Ashchurch and Northway area of Tewkesbury Borough - costs which it is recognised go beyond the typical remit of local authorities.

The funding will ensure that the council is equipped to fulfil its place-making objectives and the need for additional local housing through financial support for dedicated staff, holistic master-planning work, and key studies and assessments needed to underpin delivery, for example.

Locally-led garden communities are considered vital to delivering transformational housing and economic growth. However, their delivery remains a complex challenge for localities. In acknowledgement of the council's ambitions, MHCLG will also offer additional ongoing support that includes expert delivery advice from Homes England and cross-government brokerage to resolve barriers to delivery.

MHCLG has also awarded the borough council funding - through its New Development Corporation Competition - to progress the exploration of an appropriate delivery vehicle to oversee the completion of this major development.

Councillor Rob Bird, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: "We are absolutely committed to providing housing for young people and future generations, and the Garden Town is critical to delivering on this council priority.

"This latest major funding provided by the government is a resounding endorsement of our plans, and our determination to succeed in providing sustainable homes and job opportunities for the future.

"This will now enable work on the next stages of the project to proceed effectively and demonstrates very clearly the national commitment to this area and the support we can call upon to make the Garden Town a huge success."