Two new garden towns will receive £1.1m of funding to help deliver thousands of new homes.

Didcot in Oxfordshire and North Essex are set to provide 50,000 new homes which will be supported by new infrastructure.

Brandon Lewis, Housing Minister, said he had been impressed by the level of ambition and vision shown by Didcot and North Essex to deliver new sustainable communities.

“We are determined to support communities that are eager to boost the number of homes in their areas to meet local need and this money will help get work up and running quicker,” said Brandon.

Councillor Roger Hirst, Essex County Council’s Member for Transport, Planning and Environment, said he was pleased to find ways to deliver much-needed homes.

“The advantage of garden community development is that we can ensure the right provision of schools, healthcare and transport infrastructure will be in place from the start, and we welcome the opportunity to explore this fully,” said Councillor Hirst.

Councillor Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, concluded: “People right across our district will benefit from Didcot becoming a Garden Town.

“This will encourage jobs, better transport links, improved facilities and infrastructure for everyone.”