Farron calls on council to claim funds for community planning

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on local councils to bid for funding to help local communities in Cumbria create their own community development plans.

The government has announced an extra £7.5 million funding boost to allow councils and communities to create local plans for the homes and businesses they want in their area.

As new community rights mark their 1 year anniversary, councils around the country can claim up to £100,000 a year to help their communities start a neighbourhood plan, with an additional £25,000 for plans that pass a successful examination.

Neighbourhood planning gives people a major say in shaping development in their area and allows them to decide where development should go. It allows people to plan for the type of houses, businesses and green spaces they want in their area to help it thrive.

Councils can also claim up to £25,000 in grants to help communities establish the forums that drive forward neighbourhood plans in areas with no parish council - the body usually used for spearheading plans.

Tim said: "Community planning offers a real opportunity for local people to help shape the future of their area, where development happens, jobs are created and what services are available. Upper Eden were the first place in the UK to finish this project and Fellside, Hincaster and Heversham are working on community plans. I'd like to see more people in our area bid for this funding. I hope that we can bid for some of this funding and create even more community plans in Cumbria."