The Government has announced that Cheshire East Council is due to receive a £5.3 million bonus next year for enabling 944 new homes to be built between October 2012 and October 2013.
The allocation for 2014/15 means Cheshire East will have received £12.9 million through the New Homes Bonus since it was set up in 2011/12, for helping to provide 2,549 newly-built homes and conversions, and bringing 1,236 empty homes back into use. These figures also include 699 affordable homes.
The New Homes Bonus is a grant paid by central government to local councils for increasing the number of homes and their use. It is paid each year for 6 years and based on the amount of extra Council Tax revenue raised for new-build homes, conversions and long-term empty homes brought back into use. There is also an extra payment for providing affordable homes.
Across England, councils have received over £2 billion through the New Homes Bonus since it was set up in 2011/12 for helping to provide 550,000 more homes and bringing 93,000 empty homes back into use. This total includes over 160,000 affordable homes.
Housing Minister Kris Hopkins said: "Top-down Regional Strategies and eco-towns failed hardworking families who aspired to own their own home, and built nothing but resentment.
"In stark contrast, councils have received over £2 billion for their part in getting Britain building, and leading to housing construction reaching its highest levels for seven years.
"And they are free to spend the money any way they like to benefit their local communities – whether that's supporting frontline services, providing new facilities or freezing council tax."
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "Cheshire East Council welcomes this funding which recognises the contribution we are making to delivering new homes and improving the housing stock.
"However, this Council is robustly not about building housing homes 'at all cost'. We are committed to protecting our green belt and green gaps throughout the Borough and have a clear 'brownfield first' policy for development.
"This news homes bonus money will be ploughed back into the area for the benefit of the local community.
"At a time when some developers are claiming the Council is not pulling its weight in terms of housing provision, it is gratifying to receive this bonus, which demonstrates that the Government supports the clear efforts we have made to boost sustainable local housing in appropriate locations that meet the needs of the people of Cheshire East."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
"This news homes bonus money will be ploughed back into the area for the benefit of the local community. (sic).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So that's all sorted then.
CEC will approve new house builds on brownfield sites and where there is clearly sufficient brownfield land to accommodate the "calculated number required" as has been demonstrated in Wilmslow by RoW, there will be no need to build on green belt.
One thing troubles me: these CEC "spokespersons" never, ever give their names.
Good to see that WTC and CEC are in agreement.
Actions speak better than words of course and it won't come as any surprise that developers will plough on with their plans regardless of what CEC say.
And let's not forget a £3million s106 payment offered. Feels like there's a hidden agenda IMO. Is there?