Maidstone Weald Labour Party

Maidstone has won an extra £1.55 million in government grant to support the regeneration of the town and help create vital new jobs. The money follows a successful bid to the government to win New Growth Point status, an achievement that reflects Maidstone's increasing importance as the county town

The Labour Group on Maidstone Borough Council has played a major part in achieving this growth status with Cllr. Morel D' Souza (pictured left - during his stint as Mayor of Maidstone) and others lobbying Cabinet Ministers extremely hard to nominate the CountyTown for this status.

Cllr. Morel D' Souza said, "I am extremely pleased that the Labour Group's lobbying has paid off handsomely not only with acquiring Maidstone as a growth status area but also eligible for a massive one and half million pounds (£1.5m) towards the scheme of providing affordable housing".

News that Maidstone had won its case for New Growth Point status was announced in Parliament by Yvette Cooper, Minister of State for Housing, today. Maidstone Council Leader, Eric Hotson, has welcomed the news: "We have worked hard to persuade the government that we deserve this role as a new growth point and we are confident that we can use this as a springboard to help Maidstone develop for the good of all the people living and working here."

Maidstone's submission to the government in bidding for this prestige status pointed out that the town was a natural growth point within Kent but added that the borough council was keen to address prosperity and employment issues

The submission pointed out that the council was keen to provide "regeneration, affordable housing, new employment and small business units and improved transportation, alongside upgraded public open space."

The council will now be looking to work with the Government to bring forward larger regeneration schemes associated with the town centre, the area to the south of the town, and the South East Maidstone Strategic Route.