Councils and communities which back new homes will get extra help with infrastructure, announced Yvette Cooper, the Government’s planning minister, as she set out the allocation of £732m to local councils in the Growth areas and Growth points for services like transport, schools, health centres and parks. The new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) proposed in the Planning Bill could also fund £100m nationally.

The investment will help local authorities fund community facilities and services to back the construction of three million new homes by 2020. The money, which will be available over the next three years, will benefit over 68 towns and cities across England which have already volunteered for housing development as existing growth areas.

The new funding will give local authorities greater flexibility in deciding where money is needed most, without needing to bid to the Government to fund specific projects. The money will complement mainstream funding for transport, education and health services.
Cooper said: “Those councils and communities that are doing their bit to deliver more homes should get more cash. Its only fair that those who are doing most to support homes for the future should get extra support from the Government too. Weve already said they should get £500m over the next three years to spend as they see fit. Now were setting out extra cash for infrastructure too with more to come for other areas who sign up.”