Government announces £17m for 'Community Right to Build'

The Community Right to Build aims to put the power to grant planning permission in the hands of communities. It forms part of the neighbourhood planning provisions contained in the Localism Act.

To apply for funding, members of the community will need to group together and set themselves up as a corporate body with the purpose of furthering the interests of the local community, the Government said.

Any proposals for a Community Right to Build would be examined by an independent examiner before being put to a local referendum. More than 50% of the people who vote in the referendum must be in agreement with the order before it can be adopted.

The £17m funding will be available over the next three years said the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which has funded the programme with Urban Forum and housing charity HACT.

"The Community Right to Build is an innovative new way of empowering local communities, enabling them to play a more active role in shaping their area according to their needs and aspirations," said Pat Ritchie, chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency. "The funding will support those local groups who want to take forward locally-backed development which will ultimately benefit the whole of their community."

Funding is not intended to cover the cost of building, land acquisition or other costs associated with the development itself, the Government said. It should be used to contribute to the costs of preparing a submission for a Community Right to Build Order, including consulting in the local area or developing the proposal and business case for a community-led scheme.

The Right to Build Order can be used for any purpose that communities say they need to make their neighbourhoods prosper, the Government said, including family houses to sell or rent, community halls, homes designed specifically to meet the needs of older people, children playgrounds and shops and business facilities.

An 'early bird bonus' has also been pledged by Shapps, who offered an additional grant of up to £2,000 for those communities that move quickly and submit plans by the end of March next year.

An advice and support line will be provided by community charity Locality, which will launch a new website, phone line, seminars and detailed one-to-one mentoring for those looking to use the Right to Build.

"Locality fought hard to shape the Localism Act," said Steve Walker of Locality. "We believe in self-reliance and community ownership. The new Community Right to Build presents incredible opportunities for people to have a greater stake in their area."