£2m boost for Norwich housing through county deal

£2 million of Government funding will secure new affordable homes for rent in Norwich, in another early benefit from the county deal.

Norfolk County Council bid for the cash during the negotiations on the in-principle county deal devolution agreement, which was signed last December.

County council leader, Councillor Andrew Proctor, said: "Delivering more housing, where it is needed, is a key part of the county deal.

"We have worked closely with Norwich City Council to identify opportunities to do this and I'm delighted that the Government is providing £2 million to make it happen.

"It shows how the county and district councils can work together to deliver local priorities, under this deal."

Councillor Gail Harris, deputy leader of Norwich City Council and portfolio for social housing, said: "I'm pleased we have been able to work in partnership with the county council to secure money from the devolution deal to go towards an ambitious proposal to deliver excellent new homes at Bowthorpe, helping us to address some of our pressing needs to provide affordable housing in Norwich.

"It's great that the city council's robust financial position means our housing revenue account allows us to match fund these proposals to the tune of £2.1m - this enables us to deliver a total of 24 homes built to high environmental standards, helping people to make significant savings on their energy bills."

Norfolk County Council and the Government have agreed, in principle, a county deal, to transfer funding and powers to this area - a process known as devolution.

Subject to reaching final agreement later this year, the Government will enable the county council to invest in areas such as better transport, skills, job opportunities, housing and regeneration, tailored to the specific needs of local people.

The £2 million received by the county council will be transferred to Norwich City Council, which will buy 12 new homes currently under construction by its own company, NRL Ltd and use them for affordable housing for rent.

The £2 million received by the county council will be transferred to Norwich City Council, which will buy a number of new homes currently under construction by its own company, NRL Ltd and use them for affordable housing for rent.

For further details of Norwich City Council's plans, please contact the city council's communications team - communications@norwich.gov.uk.

For further details on the county deal, see www.norfolk.gov.uk/norfolkcountydeal.