COMMUNITIES will get the chance to get more money following housing developments in their area.

Councillors at Wychavon District Council unanimously agreed to continue to fund community projects through the new homes bonus grant.

At a meeting of the executive board on Tuesday, February 4, they agreed the current arrangement - where 40 percent of the grant should be allocated to the community where the housing development has taken place - should remain in place.

As well as carrying on with existing grant commitments to parish and town councils in areas where there has already been growth, the council has also agreed to allocate up to 40 percent of the funding to areas that experience growth up until October this year.

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 grant proposals from 35 parish councils for 57 projects amounting to a total of £447,650.

A new protocol and further details 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 visit wychavon.gov.uk/newhomesbonus.