LOCAL Government partners in Exeter and East Devon have jointly welcomed news of a massive cash injection from Government funds for the 'Growth Point' area on the borders of the City of Exeter and the District of East Devon.

LOCAL Government partners in Exeter and East Devon have jointly welcomed news of a massive cash injection from Government funds for the 'Growth Point' area on the borders of the City of Exeter and the District of East Devon.Land close to the western boundary of East Devon is scheduled to see a number of prestigious developments, including a science park, freight depot, skypark and at least one new town - the proposed new community of Cranbrook.The Department of Communities and Local Government announced this week that it was committing over £6 million towards capital expenditure on the new developments and a further half a million pounds of revenue funding.The Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point partnership has been advised that capital funding of £6,660,990 and £548,418 in revenue support have been allocated to the team for 2009-10 and 2010-11.Whilst the funding is less than the total that the partnership had bid for, they are delighted on two counts - Government Office South West congratulated the group on their bid document, which it described as "a very sound piece of work"; and the total grant is considerably higher than the Government had initially indicated it would be willing to award.Combining the new fund allocation with £1.25 million rolled over from the current year, the partnership will have nearly £8 million to spend on delivering key projects in the new Growth Point area. Councillor Ray Franklin, EDDC's Portfolio Holder responsible for Strategic Planning and Regeneration, said: "I am delighted at the outcome of this bid to help us deliver vital housing and employment for Exeter. This represents a massive vote of confidence in the work done by the joint team so far and a significant investment in the future growth and prosperity of this area. "We were one of many teams nationally bidding for Government funding and it is very rewarding to find that we are one of the best value areas to have been allocated cash when you look at the amount promised compared with the number of homes this will provide by 2016. "There will still be a shortfall in funding to build the vital Clyst Honiton by-pass, but we are hopeful that we can find other sources to help us take that scheme forward as soon as possible".Exeter City Council's Leader, Councillor Adrian Fullam, said: "We are very pleased with this investment in vital infrastructure provided by the Government. This will help secure many local jobs now and in the future and will provide essential homes too".Councillor Humphrey Temperley, Devon County Council's Executive Member for Strategic Planning, Regional and International Affairs, said: "We welcome the increased funding that is being made available to support the delivery of additional housing and employment in the Exeter and East Devon area. The current financial climate is extremely challenging for development, but the County and District Councils are working closely with other partners to create the conditions for successful delivery".