COMMUNITY projects will continue to be funded through the New Homes Bonus grant.

Wychavon District Council’s executive board unanimously agreed to carry on with the scheme when it met on Tuesday, February 4.

It was agreed that the current arrangement – where a 40 per cent proportion of the New Homes Bonus (NHB) grant is allocated to the communities where housing development has taken place – should remain in place.

As well as continuing with existing NHB commitments to parish and town councils, the council also agreed to allocate up to 40 per cent of funding to areas that experience growth up until October 2014.

Councillor Paul Middlebrough, leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “This is good news for communities that have experienced housing growth and I’m pleased that we have been able to achieve an affordable and meaningful extension of our successful New Homes Bonus scheme.

“As far as we’re aware, we are the only council that has such a scheme, and as it is clear to see the benefits it has for local communities throughout the district, we see no reason to change something that is working wonderfully well.”

To date, Wychavon has approved NHB proposals from 35 parish councils for 57 projects amounting to a total of £447,650.

A new protocol and further details, including some rule changes, will be unveiled at an event for parish and town councils on Wednesday, March 26.

For more information, and to find out which parishes are entitled to New Homes Bonus funding, go to wychavon.gov.uk/newhomesbonus