And a bigger boost nationally

Housing minister Margaret Beckett announced a £605 million allocation to 163 local authorities with long-term plans to increase house building to meet the needs of their communities. During the next two years the money will enable LAs with plans for growth to invest in the essential services that need to accompany the building of new homes, including transport links, schools, and the provision of parks. The 163 LAs singled out have signed up to deliver 1.3 million new homes by 2016.