New funding for London`s community infrastructure

Councils and communities in London which back new homes will get extra help with infrastructure, Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper announced as she set out the allocation of £732m to local councils in the Growth Areas and Growth Points for services like transport, schools, health centres and parks. The new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) proposed in the Planning Bill could also fund £100m, nationally. The investment will help local authorities fund community facilities and services to back the construction of two million new homes by 2016. The money, which will be available over the next three years, will benefit over 68 towns and cities across England, including London, which have already volunteered for housing growth as existing growth areas or growth points.