DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined plans for improvements across Wiltshire as part of £11.5m Government funding.

The money is being given to the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership between 2016 and 2021 as part of a growth deal. This is on top of the £130m already allocated, last year.

The fund will see Corsham’s Mansion House building transformed into a digital business centre for budding entrepreneurs.

Mr Clegg said: “This is about taking money locked up in Whitehall and giving local decision making an opportunity like we are seeing with business incubation centre in Corsham which will allow local entrepreneurs to bounce ideas off each other and make jobs locally.”

Mr Clegg praised the efforts of Duncan Hames MP, who represents Corsham, who had been campaigning for the new enterprise.

Mr Hames said: “The local growth deal is a real boost for everyone and it supports those who are creating jobs – for whom so many rely upon.

"I’m delighted that the Corsham incubation centre has been set up and will allow people to make the most of business technology at the heart of the community. I asked the Deputy Prime Minister to do this last year and it feels great that the idea has gone forward.”

Other money will be spent on changing the West Ashton/Yarnbrook junction on the A350.

Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott said: “This is great news for Wiltshire, the funding provides further support to develop key transport infrastructure across the county, which in turn will create new jobs and deliver much needed housing.

"In particular it also recognises the unique opportunity that Corsham provides to our county’s future economy. We are also committing £1.5m of our own resources and assets towards this project.

“ We’ve also pleased with the improvements to the A350 near the A4 and Yarnbrook. “

Cllr Scott met Mr Clegg in Swindon today as he visited to learn about how the Government investment will be used to redevelop the town centre with a new bus station being built.

He said: “This will mean an absolute transformation for Swindon which will see a car park knocked down and this whole area redeveloped with a new bus station.”

The money has come from a £1bn investment from the Government to local enterprise partnerships across the country.

The Government’s growth deal will see share of £1bn being spread around the local enterprise partners across the country.