Housebuilder Barratt has forked out more than £700,000 to improve village facilities in Meltham and Skelmanthorpe.

The funding for schools, public transport and highways comes as part of agreements reached with Kirklees Council for new housing developments at Helme Ridge at Meltham and The Paddocks at Skelmanthorpe.

The Paddocks in Skelmanthorpe, a David Wilson development of 88 properties, has made contributions of £346,000, which have gone towards improvements including a school link footpath and a bus shelter, travel plan monitoring and legal costs.

In total, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, which includes both Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has contributed more than £4m to support local projects across West and South Yorkshire during the year to April, 2016.

The funding has been put towards facilities such as public open spaces, school and educational facilities, public transport measures, recreational facilities and boosting local healthcare.

Helme Ridge, a development of 88 three and four-bedroom houses and affordable homes, has seen a total of £373,000 contributed to local schools, public transport and the development of public space.

Ian Ruthven, managing director of David Wilson Homes’ Yorkshire West division, said: “As well as building new homes, we think it is crucial to support local communities, which will be the end result of contributions.

“We hope this £4m will go a long way towards improving the lives of people who live within the regions, which is obviously of great importance to us, as we’re providing new homes within each area.

“We have contributed almost £1.5m to educational causes, along with over £300,000 going towards developing public open spaces and recreational community facilities, which will undoubtedly improve the nearby facilities available for families and couples in the areas.”