Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis, has announced that councils have received over £3 billion through the New Homes Bonus for developing over 800,000 new homes.

The minister said the figures demonstrated how more communities were saying "yes" to new development, after planning reforms have put power back into the hands of local people.

Since the New Homes Bonus was introduced in April 2011 more than 700,000 homes and conversions have been provided, and over 100,000 long term empty properties returned to use.

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Minister Lewis said: "We've got the country building again and given local communities control over where new homes go in their area. This is in stark contrast to the housing crash and failed top-down regional strategies of the last government.

"Councils have received more than £3 billion for their part in getting Britain building, and as a result housing construction has reached its highest level for 7 years.

"All local authorities are free to spend the money however they like to benefit their local communities."

(CD/MH)