Housing Minister John Healey and Rural Affairs Minister Lord Davies have 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.

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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.

Mr 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 is 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.

(CD/GK)