“SEDGEMOOR really is punching above its weight” says council after being awarded £900,000 housing bonus.

Sedgemoor District Council secured the cash from Central Government as part of a ‘New Homes Bonus’ scheme, which provides funding based on the number of new homes built each year.

There is an additional reward for providing affordable homes. SDC’s Planning Policy manager Nick Tait said: “The award is the highest in Somerset.

“The Council has been able to support the delivery of record numbers of new homes - almost half of which are affordable to local families and people.”

The funds will help the council maintain existing services and invest in initiatives such as bringing empty homes back into use.

Claire Faun, spokesperson for SDC, added: “This announcement comes fast on the recent good news on jobs that includes the new police HQ, Mulberry’s, and the energy park proposals and shows that Sedgemoor really is the punching above its weight when it comes to attracting inward investment."