Cabinet considers £490,000 housing boost

Five villages could be set for a £490,000 investment in 30 affordable homes, thanks to the county council.

Leicestershire’s ruling Cabinet meets on April 3rd to discuss the latest phase of investment from the Government’s New Homes Bonus, which encourages councils to work with local communities to develop new housing.

County council leader David Parsons said: We want our villages to thrive, so we want to help families afford to live in them.

I was delighted to start work on our first scheme, in Sapcote, in March and I look forward to expanding this scheme to other villages across the county.”

The funding aims to boost the number of affordable homes available to buy, to rent or for shared ownership schemes in villages, so families and young people are not forced to move out by high prices.

Local housing associations have put together schemes but have been unable to proceed as there are ‘funding gaps’ in their proposals. The county council and district councils have been helping to fill these gaps.

The Cabinet will consider investing £490,000 to develop up to 38 affordable homes, at Husbands Bosworth (8), Tilton (6), Breedon (10), Bitteswell (2) and Elmsthorpe (4), subject to match funding from district councils.

Last year, the council invested in housing in Sapcote and Somerby. Work started on the first scheme, with East Midlands Housing and Blaby District Council in Sapcote, in early March.

The Cabinet will consider the report at 2pm on Tuesday, April 3rd.