Councils Finalise 77,000-Home Devolution Offer

Wide-reaching proposals to devolve powers over housing development and finance to a coalition of East Midlands authorities are being fine-tuned ahead of a September deadline. Proposals to create two combined authorities for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have been submitted to the Treasury and CLG as a first step in negotiations over a full devolution deal for the whole area. Devolution proposals are being worked up by local authorities and business representatives, co-ordinated by the D2N2 local enterprise partnership that covers both counties. The business community is a key partner in developing proposals that will see 55,000 new private sector jobs created by 2023 and 77,000 affordable new homes by 2020. Read more on the Derbyshire County Council website.

Cash Incentive for Communities That Accept New Housing

Communities that accept the building of new homes in their areas will be rewarded will cash, the planning minister, Nick Boles, has announced. Neighbourhoods that create housing development plans and get the backing of local people in a referendum will be given 25% of the revenues from the Community Infrastructure Levy that arises from the development they choose to accept.  The cash incentive will be paid directly to parish and town councils who will be free to spend it on community projects. Read more on the CLG website.