Grants worth more than �266,000 for projects to benefit communities in Uttlesford have been agreed by the district council.

Under the New Homes Bonus scheme, parish councils in areas which had accommodated the most significant housing growth were invited to put forward bids for their share of the cash. Now Uttlesford District Council has agreed to 47 bids totalling �266,432 in six parishes. Further bids, including those from three parishes which have yet to submit any requests, will be considered in the coming months once the district council has received them.

The projects for which funding is now agreed range from a few hundred pounds to more than �40,000 and cover everything from play equipment to major renovations. Among the dozens of projects to secure funding are:

�43,924 for the refurbishment of the village hall in Little Canfield

�2,000 to Community Heartbeat to purchase a defibrillator for Quendon and Rickling

�3,500 to repair the clock on St Mary’s Church in Saffron Walden

�2,000 to clean the Saffron Walden War Memorial

�15,000 for fencing at the skatepark in Stansted

�10,000 for tree planting in Stansted

�35,000 for refurbishment of the recreation ground in Takeley

�4,900 for fingerposts in Thaxted, pointing visitors from car parks to heritage sites and the town centre

The funding bids were approved by Uttlesford District Council’s Cabinet and will be published in full with the agenda for its meeting on Thursday, 16 February 2012.

In addition to the money for parish councils, each of the 44 Uttlesford district councillors has �1,000 to spend in their own ward. This money is being spent on a range of projects, including village Jubilee celebrations, training first aiders and equipment for pre-school groups.

Council leader Cllr Jim Ketteridge said: “It is gratifying to be able to help so many worthwhile projects in the district. Numerous sports clubs, organisations helping our youngest and oldest residents and projects to preserve the heritage of the district are just some of those who are now benefiting from the New Homes Bonus.

“I look forward to receiving the second round of bids in the coming weeks.”