Small towns and parishes set to receive funding boost (From Gazette Series)

Small towns and parishes set to receive funding boost

10:00am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News By Daniel Chipperfield

Small towns and parishes in the district are set to receive funding in proposals to encourage more affordable housing being built.

At a Planning Advisory Panel meeting held on Thursday, January 10, at Stroud District Council, innovative proposals were put forward to encourage development.

It includes the Community Infrastructure Reward Scheme, which aims to provide funding for local infrastructure projects where affordable homes are built.

Cllr Dennis Andrewartha (Cam West, Lib Dem), executive member for planning for Stroud District Council said the aim of the policy was to add vitality to local communities.

“For example, a small housing development put forward by a parish, which included affordable homes, could then attract funding from us for a local park, play area or even public transport improvements,” he said.

“Rural areas in particular, such as this district, suffer from an acute affordable housing shortage. The new policy would enable us to work closely with parish and town councils to deliver truly sustainable communities by helping in a hands-on way with direct spending on infrastructure.”

Whilst the council has already put aside £350,000 for the start of such a scheme, in the long term it could be funded by the New Homes Bonus.

It would apply to areas with populations under 3,000. The affordable homes would also be prioritised for people with a connection to the area.

The proposals will now be discussed at a future meeting of the council’s executive.