Harlow & Gilston Garden Town is one of 28 national projects to be chosen for funding by the Dept of Levelling Up, Homes and Communities.
The Garden Town will receive almost £230,000 from the £3.25m Proptech Engagement Fund which aims to give members of the public a greater say in shaping and regenerating their communities via projects using innovative new technology.
The 28 projects will inform the government’s work to modernise the planning system and the Dept of Levelling Up, Homes and Communities is working closely with planning authorities across the country to establish best practice and identify where further digital guidance and innovations are needed.
Garden Town Director, Naisha Polaine, said: “Our five council partnership is delighted that Harlow & Gilston Garden Town has been awarded this digital engagement funding by central Government.
“We want to ensure that the growth and development of 23,000 new homes in our Garden Town community is innovative and collaborative.
“We’re really looking forward to going live with a fantastic engagement campaign in the summer and understanding the thoughts, opinions and ideas of communities from across the local area on their values and wellbeing.
“Our Garden Town team and partners are passionate about informing, involving and empowering local people to not only have their say but help shape future plans and proposals and we’ll be using our funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Homes and Communities to do exactly that.”
Minister for Housing, Rt Hon Stuart Andrew, added: “We need a modernised planning system which fully embraces digital technology to create places in which people take real pride.
“By bringing the planning system up to date with the latest methods, we are ensuring that communities can have more of a say on the development of their town, city or neighbourhood.”
Harlow & Gilston Garden Town will announce plans for how their funding will be used in due course.
