Boost for house building and jobs

Developers are encouraged to build on brownfield sites

More than £54.5m in government cash has been given to Cambridgeshire to boost affordable home building on brownfield sites.

Growth will centre on Peterborough and Cambridge according to a new 20-year plan for the East of England.

Communities minister Parmjit Dhanda said the next generation will have nowhere to live if homes are not built.

"The plan will deliver affordable housing, better transport networks, infrastructure and jobs growth."

Millions of pounds of government funding are now available for schools, hospitals, leisure centres and transport links.

Mr Dhanda, said: "The East of England needs a long term vision to address housing shortages and to strengthen the economy."

The key points of the plan announced by East of England Minister, Barbara Follett include a housing growth target of 508,000 new homes by 2021.

Job growth targets have been increased from 440,000 to 452,000.

It has also identified areas where further work should be carried out to determine the additional measures needed to tackle congestion.

The social need for housing is recognised with developers told to aim for one home in three being classed as "affordable housing".