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 with the best ideas were selected through a planning and design competition.

A large proportion of these homes will be affordable for local people, giving a boost to rural businesses by ensuring local staff can live close by and helping village schools, shops and pubs stay open.

The £1m fund jointly provided by Communities and Local Government and Defra will provide expert assistance and training on masterplanning and urban design. The councils that have been successful are receiving funds ranging from £4,000 to £70,000 to support work on projects, including:
• £70,000 to develop a masterplan for 1000 homes, a school, businesses and recreation space in North Northallerton;
• £30,000 to prepare a masterplan to redevelop the historic Bolton Copperworks site near the village of Froghall, and kickstart the regeneration of the Churnet Valley;
• £50,000 for masterplanning expertise to redevelop the Churchfields Estate west of Salisbury, providing 1,100 homes, a neighbourhood centre, a primary school, open space and land for businesses. The site will deliver much needed homes for the area of which around 40 per cent will be affordable.
John 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.