It's 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
£1m 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:
- £70,000 to develop a masterplan for 1000 homes, a school,
businesses and recreation space in North Northallerton
- £30,000 to prepare a masterplan to redevelop the historic Bolton
Copperworks site near the village of Froghall, and kickstart the
regeneration of the Churnet Valley;
- £50,000 for masterplanning expertise to redevelop the
Churchfields Estate west of Salisbury, providing 1,100 homes, a
neighbourhood centre, a primary school, open space and land for businesses.
The site will deliver much needed homes for the area of which around 40 per
cent will be affordable.
John Healey said:
"We know a lack of affordable homes for local people is acute in rural
communities. People have to be able to stay in the countryside for rural
areas to prosper. That's why we're backing rural councils with funding for
the skills to provide homes young families can afford, where they want to
live.
"Local authorities should make the most of the expertise on offer to design
and plan for affordable homes for local people that are built to a high
standard, and are linked to new opportunities for jobs so rural towns and
villages can thrive."
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.
Defra Minister Lord Davies of Oldham said:
"Available houses at affordable prices are essential for a rural community.
The support from this fund and the expert help available to the successful
authorities will help build those houses as well as making sure that
services and jobs are located where they are most needed for rural areas to
secure a thriving future and strong local economies."
Winning bids include training to deliver the highest standards of design
that will make it easier for people to work from home in rural communities,
and ensure new businesses, shops and schools are located near where people
live.
Winning projects will share best practice with other rural regions of the
country, building capacity and skills that will bring forward high quality
rural development across the country.
The masterplan funding is the latest stage in the Government's plans to
help rural communities thrive by providing more affordable housing and
greater freedom to develop strong local economies.
Matthew Taylor, who produced the Taylor Review into rural housing and
economies said:
"This announcement is another step in implementing my recommendations in
'Living Working Countryside'. It is about sustaining rural communities with
well designed affordable homes meeting local needs. The experience gained
from these rural community projects, backed today by a million pound
Government investment, will help shape a more sustainable future for rural
England."
