A GOVERNMENT deal to help Oxfordshire deliver more affordable homes has been welcomed by Cherwell District Council.

The council pledged their support of the Oxfordshire House and Growth Deal at a meeting last week and it includes £215m extra funding for the planned 100,000 homes for the county by 2031, plus infrastructure.

The deal has now been approved by all city and district councillors in the county, alongside Oxfordshire County Council and OxLEP.

Council leader Barry Wood said: "This Government funding is a ringing endorsement of our plans for the growth of Cherwell.

"It will assist us in tackling the shortfall of affordable housing which affects so many people, and help deliver the infrastructure we need to keep the district moving.

"The deal also includes important provisions for supporting social mobility, enabling innovation in our economy, and making sure local workers have the skills to flourish."

The funding includes £150m for infrastructure, £60m for affordable housing and £5m capacity funding. It will be delivered over five years.