The search goes out for ‘stalled’ infrastructure projects

Buckinghamshire Thames Valley LEP (BTVLEP) has recently issued a ‘Call for Projects’ for the £1.7m of remaining Growing Places Funding (GPF) that it has available to invest in ‘shovel ready’ infrastructure projects which will help stimulate economic activity in Buckinghamshire.

The objectives of the Fund, which is supported by money from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), are;

  • To address commercial property and transport infrastructure and site constraints and promote the delivery of housing or other developments;
  • To improve the communications infrastructure, in particular the availability of broadband services;
  • To deliver innovative and creative projects which remove barriers to economic growth or promote jobs;

BTVLEP is inviting proposals from partners and developers which meet these objectives.

Because the projects need to be ‘shovel ready’, any project that is considering applying will likely need to have already received planning consent. The basic qualifying conditions of a suitable project are that your scheme:

  • Meets at least one element of the objective above;
  • Has all the necessary planning consents/approvals to proceed;
  • Will create a capital asset;
  • Can guarantee to pay back the sum of money advanced;
  • Complies with State Aid guidance;

As BTVLEP is keen to encourage new and innovative approaches to old problems, and we hope further funding will become available in the future, we are also interested in hearing from applicants who have a project idea that has not yet been granted planning consent.

Given that the scale of funding being requested is likely to exceed the funding available, and that the BTVLEP Board is keen to see any future rounds of GPF being opened up more widely, we have also sought to trial a standard application process for anyone wishing to submit a project idea.

Anyone with a project they would like to be considered for GPF funding should download the attached briefing document, and make contact with Jim Sims at Buckinghamshire Business First on 07740 511976.

The closing date for any applications for this allocation of GPF is 5.00pm on Friday 6th July 2012.

Applications need to be submitted to jim@bbf.uk.com using the attached application form.

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