Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced a major expansion of Planning Aid which works with community groups to develop their understanding of the planning system so that they can communicate their views more effectively.

It also helps individuals who are unable to afford a planning consultant and who, without assistance, would be excluded from the planning process.

Following the doubling of Planning Aid funding from £1.7m in 2007/08 to £3.2m this year the new announcement today will increase this further to £4.1m in 2009/10 and £4.5m in 2010/11.

Blears said:  "The Planning Reform Bill currently going through Parliament will give people a fairer say through public consultation, and at planning inquiries. But creating opportunities for public participation is not enough by itself.

"We need also to do more to support local communities and individuals, particularly those least able to put forward their case, with the advice and skills they need to engage effectively, which is where this new funding will provide direct help."