VILLAGES may be able to build homes without seeking council planning permission as the Government bids to save local communities.
Housing minister Grant Shapps today launched The Community Right to Build initiative to provide a small number of affordable homes in rural areas.
The campaign is part of David Cameron’s big society (big soc) idea of allowing more decisions to be made locally as the government believes that high home prices are driving people away.
Mr Shapps, MP for Welwyn Hatfield, said: “Far from the Nimbyism that often hits the headlines, up and down the country there are entire communities willing and eager to give the go-ahead for new developments in their area.
“The countryside must be a vibrant place to live, and cannot be allowed to become a museum. I want to give communities the power to preserve their villages, which are currently struggling to survive because of a shortage of affordable homes.”
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