A NEW housing development in Harwell will invest more than £1.2 million in the village.

The funding comes after Bloor Homes finishes 80 homes at The Willows in the east of the village.

The contributions will include £96,000 towards refurbishing the village hall, £25,000 for repairs to St Matthew’s Church and £17,000 towards improving the Royal British Legion building.

Money will also be provided for a range of improvements at Harwell recreation ground, including £42,500 towards refurbishing the pavilion, £42,500 for purpose built storage units to be used by sports groups, and £10,000 to improve access to the venue.

A sum of £17,000 will go towards improving the club house and improving disabled access at Harwell Bowls Club, £4,902 for artificial grass pitches, £13,606 for football pitches, £3,185 for rugby pitches, £64,014 for indoor sports facilities, and £2,000 for a skate park.

Bloor will also contribute £415,932 towards a new secondary school at Great Western Park in Didcot, £253,414 towards the expansion of Harwell Primary School, £63,600 for improvements to local bus services, £6,000 for a bus shelter on Didcot Road, £17,442 for new books at Didcot Library and £21,150 for a new patrol car for the local police.

In addition, the developer will contribute £141,087 towards the creation of an area of public open space, £7,000 to the parish council for new notice boards, benches, litter and dog bins and play equipment, and £13,600 for waste and recycling bins.