LEADING Pendle Tories, and the MP, have warmly welcomed a new round of funding for new homes in the borough worth £372,617.

Constituency MP Andrew Stephenson, and council leader Joe Cooney, spoke after the government announced the third allocations of the New Homes Bonus.

Pendle will receive £372,612 through the allocation.

This includes the third year 1 instalment of £101,065, the second year 2 instalment of £92,127, and £179,420 to be paid in 2013/14.

Coun Cooney said, “The New Homes Bonus is there to incentivise housing growth, which we clearly need in some parts of Pendle. The allocation shows that the government is backing councils like Pendle that are pushing the most to achieve this.”

Mr Stephenson said “I was pleased that the announcement focused on affordable housing.”