THE Wisbech Nene Waterfront Project is set to receive �1.7million in vital Government funding – but other county projects have not been so lucky. The Government had announced last year that it would be cutting almost �6million from Cambridgeshire s Hous

THE Wisbech Nene Waterfront Project is set to receive �1.7million in vital Government funding - but other county projects have not been so lucky.

The Government had announced last year that it would be cutting almost �6million from Cambridgeshire's Housing Growth Fund (HGF).

Since then local authorities and Cambridgeshire Horizons have been working hard to create a revised funding project list.

One of the projects which has had its funding deferred is the March Housing and Regeneration. This included funding for a new roundabout on the March A141 bypass to open up land for 500 new homes and provide access to the new Country Park.

And it was announced today that the county would still benefit from �21.5million worth of Housing Growth Funding in 2009/2011 which will support 20 different schemes, including the Wisbech Nene Waterfront Project.

Other schemes set to benefit include a new Country Park in Ely, eco-friendly homes in Huntingdon and improvements to the Cambridge station area.

Leader of the Fenland District Council, Alan Melton, said: "While we are obviously deeply disappointed about the recent Government cuts in the Housing Growth Fund allocation, we are extremely pleased that we have got �1.7million of HGF funding to bring forward the Nene Waterfront project.

"It will enable us to complete the essential infrastructure work on the roads and make further environmental improvements, and will make it easier to market this whole development, which is vital for the whole town of Wisbech."

Sir David Trippier, chairman of Cambridgeshire Horizons, added: "Whilst the cuts have undoubtedly posed us with many challenges, we believe that the partnership has found the best possible way forward to ensure as many of these vital projects can still be delivered in the future.

"By scaling back project funding, or deferring start dates to future years, we can deliver the best possible results for the county during this challenging financial time."

He added: "The good news is that many projects will still be going ahead as planned during the next financial year, including the Cambridge Gateway scheme in the city, money towards the Wisbech Nene Waterfront project, Huntingdon town centre development, significant Green Infrastructure and funding for Ely Country Park."

Councillor Jill Tuck, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "Councils, organisations and projects across Cambridgeshire and indeed the country have been hit by the Government's decision to cut by half the funding which they had previously told us we would have.

"When this was reported to us, we together with the City and District Council colleges had to make a decision, all be it reluctantly, on which projects would be delayed until the funding was available.

"Despite this Cambridgeshire councils and organisations are committed to working together to take forward projects that will benefit existing and new communities, making the county a great place to live.