COMMUNITY facilities across the district will benefit from a £170,000 investment boost, as the latest winners of New Homes Bonus grants are announced.

Bromsgrove District Council's cabinet agreed to approve 14 out of 31 applicants their requested funding at a meeting on September 6, to relieve the pressures of new housing developments on local facilities.

Among the successful bids was Bromsgrove's Primrose Hospice, which is set to receive £19,710 to replace the charity's 11-year-old van, currently costing more than £2,000 each year in repairs.

Corporate fundraising manager Kate Kelly said: "We saw the opportunity with the council and decided we could make a bid to get our new van.

"We use the van quite a lot for collecting donations from shops and transporting fundraising materials but it’s cost us quite a lot to keep on the road plus it’s not the best looking.

"A new one would be a massive amount of money for us and we just don’t have that kind of funds, so when we saw the opportunity with Bromsgrove council to bid for a grant we decided it was too good to miss.

"The new van will make a huge difference to our fundraising."

The grants will also fund a defibrillator for Romsley Parish Council, kitchen refurbishment at 6th Bromsgrove Scouts' hut, upgraded sports equipment at Haybridge High School and an electronic scoreboard at Barnt Green Cricket Club.

Deputy council leader Karen May said: "It was fantastic to see such a strong response to our New Homes Bonus scheme this year. Previously we’ve had to carry over unspent money, but this year the uptake exceeded all expectations. The level of engagement from right across the community bodes very well for the future. Now we’re all looking forward to seeing these projects delivered.”