AFTER gaining planning permission, controversial plans for 2,000 new homes in Ponteland have won £75,000 in Government funding.

Northumberland County Council has been awarded a grant of £75,000 from the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) to support the Dissington Garden Village project.

The scheme has been put forward by developer Lugano as part of a Government initiative to increase housing.

However, the plans for 2,000 houses on green belt land on the Dissington Estate, alongside shops and leisure facilities, were also met with opposition.

Protesters argued that the plans would swamp the town, impact on roads and did not meet the ‘very special circumstances’ required to build on green belt land.

The proposal won outline planning permission in March.

And the scheme has now been allocated a grant from the HCA’s capacity fund to assist with ‘design thinking and delivery strategy.’

In addition, the HCA has offered the council technical support and an invitation to join the national Garden Villages Forum.

Commenting on the Government grant, Steven Mason, chief executive of Northumberland County Council, said: “We are delighted that this exceptional project has been recognised nationally and for the funds that will enable us to take forward the project to ensure the many benefits it will bring are delivered.

“The allocation of these funds is a clear vote of confidence in our shared ambitions to make Dissington Garden Village a great place and a flagship project for the North East.’’