Housing Minister John Healey and Rural Affairs Minister Lord Davies named 36 rural councils that will benefit from expert support to help design and plan up to 10,000 new homes. A large proportion of these homes will be affordable for local people, giving a boost to rural businesses and helping village schools, shops and pubs stay open.
It is the first time that rural councils have received dedicated funding to help design and plan new development that will support the local needs of rural communities. The councils receiving funding were selected through a planning and design competition.
The 36 councils with the best ideas for rural towns and villages will share £1 million funding for expert advice to build 10,000 high quality homes that will help local people stay where they want to live, and give a boost to local businesses by ensuring local staff can live close by.
The £1 million fund jointly provided by Communities and Local Government and Defra will provide expert assistance and training on masterplanning and urban design. The councils that have been successful are receiving funds ranging from £4,000 to £70,000 to support work on projects, including:
Successful councils will develop masterplans for new neighbourhoods and existing areas of towns, making the most of current buildings and creating more attractive and vibrant places for people to live.
