COMMUNITY groups in Hagley can apply for a share of almost £170,000 this year, Bromsgrove District Council has announced.

At a meeting of the cabinet on April 5, members agreed that £169,157 in New Homes Bonus (NHB) money - including unspent cash from last year - would be allocated to areas across the district affected by new housing developments.

Peter Rowbottom of Hagley Residents Action Group, which led the campaign for NHB money to be shared with the Bromsgrove community, said: “This is now the third successive year that NHB money has been made available by the council to areas such as Hagley.

“This year's allocation takes the total amount over the three years to £330,000 across the district, including potentially up to £100,000 to Hagley alone depending on this year’s bids.

“With two major community building projects in the village both currently requiring funding – a new community centre and a new Scouts Hut – which both also form part of Hagley Parish Council's Village Strategic Plan, I am sure that the latest NHB money can be put to these or other projects to improve local facilities and therefore benefit many local people.”

Non-profit groups are among those able to apply for up to £2,880 towards a smaller project, and up to £28,000 in funding for a larger one, between May 8 and June 16.

Bromsgrove District Councillor for Hagley East, Rachel Jenkins, said: “Last year's New Homes Bonus Scheme saw specific amounts allocated to each ward area based on the percentage of new homes in that specific ward.

“On that basis, Hagley this year would have been automatically allocated some £56,000 due to the village having almost 40 per cent of the district's total new housing in the last 12 months.

“I am a little disappointed then that the Scheme has changed this year, which potentially may disadvantage Hagley receiving all the money they may have done, as this year any area in Bromsgrove district can apply for the NHB, as long as they can prove that they have had some new housing in their area.

“However, I welcome the greater importance placed on local councillors’ involvement in the application process and I would encourage any Hagley groups looking for funding to apply for the NHB money via the formal bid process.

“I will be delighted to assist in any applications for those in the Hagley East district ward.”

Details on how to apply will be revealed nearer to application period.