North Essex is looking to cash in on millions of pounds of funding under a new Government scheme.

Haven Gateway Partnership, which covers Colchester and the north of the county, has been identified as having the potential to win a slice of the cash.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has unveiled plans to put up about £40 million as part of a pilot initiative - with more money to follow in the future.

The money would be for places which have won a bid to be known as having growth area status.

The aim is to find areas which can put forward projects to help meet the demand for new jobs and homes and then deliver on those promises.

Mike Bateson, secretary of the Haven Gateway Partnership, said initial talks had taken place and the next stage was to come up with firm proposals.

"We would want to get at least £8 million under the status, which would be matched by the East of England Development Agency and elsewhere to make about £25 million in all," he said.

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Published Wednesday, December 7, 2005

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