Housing Minister Alok Sharma has revealed a £22.8 million package of support for communities across England to have more of a voice over development plans for their area.

The funding, which will be around £5.5m a year until 2022, will provide communities with specialist support to help develop a Neighbourhood Plan.

The scheme will give local communities a say in the development of their area including where homes, shops, green spaces and offices should be built and how they should look.

More than 400 neighbourhood planning referendums have so far taken place across England.

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Minister Sharma said: "Neighbourhood planning gives communities a powerful set of tools to shape their area and drive local growth.

"The government is committed to giving communities even more of a say in the development of their area, and that's why we're dedicating around £23 million between 2018 and 2022 to help groups create Neighbourhood Plans.

"With over 400 now in place more people than ever are having their say on the location and design of new homes, shops and offices in their community. I congratulate the many thousands of community minded people across England carrying out this valuable work."

Trudi Elliott, Royal Town Planning Institute Chief Executive, added: "Having worked directly with over 274 groups to help them develop neighbourhood plans since their inception, the RTPI knows how much people care about these plans and how important they are in shaping places and building public trust in the planning system.

"It's also clear from our experience that people need support to make the plan-making experience easier and worthwhile, so this latest funding is very welcome."

(LM)