Funding allocated for Harlow and Gilston Garden Town

Designated a Garden Town in 2017, the investment will help deliver Harlow and Gilston’s vision to create a joyful place to live with sociable streets, green spaces, high quality homes, new jobs and fast, high quality, affordable public transport.

The project will see regeneration of the Town Centre, a network of attractive walking and cycling routes, a new high-spec rapid bus system and a series of new communities between now and 2033.

Chairman of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town board, Guy Nicholson, said: “This £580,000 extra investment from the Government will help the Garden Town Council partners realise a new chapter in the history of Harlow.

“Everyone knows that Harlow is celebrated as one of the Sixties best new towns but, after 70 years since its original development, the time has come to realise a new era for Harlow as a Garden Town for the 21st century. 

“Across Harlow and Gilston we will be creating a place that supports residents and neighbourhoods, is great to live and work in, and meets the needs of living in today's world.”

Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon, added: “I strongly welcome this major investment into our town. 

“The Government has made clear that Harlow is a top priority for investment, with millions of pounds to improve our road infrastructure, a new hospital, the £600m move of Public Health England to Harlow, the Enterprise Zone and millions of pounds for Harlow college.

“We are building an even better Harlow. I will continue to work hard and do all I can to secure Government investment for Harlow.”

The Town and County Planning Association define Garden Town developments as “holistically planned new settlements that aim to enhance the natural environment, tackle climate change and provide high quality housing locally and accessible jobs in beautiful, healthy and sociable communities.”

Epping Forest, Harlow and East Herts District Councils are the three lead authorities, working in partnership with Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils to help deliver the Garden Town.

The investment has been granted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with the Harlow and Gilston development one of 21 Garden Town projects across the country to benefit from the £8m funding pot.