THOUSANDS of pounds is expected to be poured into Hagley community projects after successful bids for Bromsgrove District Council cash.

Among those to benefit from the council’s New Homes Bonus (NHB) money will be Hagley Rambler Scouts Group and the new pavilion at Hagley Playing Fields.

The Scouts will receive £10,000 towards a new minibus, while £6,000 will help fund the new pavilion after a joint bid was submitted with West Hagley FC.

Money became available after the district council agreed to provide £125,000 to communities who have experienced housing developments over the past year.

Hagley East Councillor Rachel Jenkins said: “I was delighted to formally support the Scouts’ bid for NHB money and I hope the minibus is of great benefit to many youngsters in the village.”

Hagley’s payments were agreed at a recent meeting of the district council cabinet, but Hagley West Councillor Steve Colella has secured an agreement to reconsider increasing the amount offered for the pavilion development.

Cllr Colella said: “I am pleased that the two Hagley bids received support from the NHB panel. I would also like to thank Peter Rowbottom who was the instigator of the NHB petition which gathered fantastic support from right across the district.

“The fact that the cabinet agreed to my request to ask that the NHB panel look again at the health and wellbeing element of the ‘pavilion’ reflects the need for support in Hagley for those who would like to be active and stay active, particularly the older generations.

“We all need support and the pavilion will help give greater access for these welfare initiatives.”

Mr Rowbottom, of Hagley Residents Action Group, previously lobbied the district council to pass on New Homes Bonus money to local communities such as Hagley.

He said: “I would like to congratulate both Hagley groups on their successful bids for New Homes Bonus money and look forward to villagers benefiting from both the new minibus and the new pavilion building when it is completed.

“I would also like to thank Hagley’s district councillors, Steve Colella and Rachel Jenkins, for formally supporting the bids when they were submitted.

“This is the second successive year that Hagley has received New Homes Bonus money from Bromsgrove Council and I look forward to further payments in future years that will further benefit the Hagley community in terms of improved local facilities.”