ALMOST £2-million will be coming to West Devon over the next six years for local projects by way of a new homes bonus from the Government.

The bonus has been introduced this year to provide incentives for local authorities and local communities to be supportive of housing growth.

The council will receive £323,920 each year for six years and the money will not be ring-fenced so can be spent on local priorities.

Head of finance at the borough council Lisa Buckle said it was good news. Payments are calculated by subtracting the total number of properties in the current year from the previous year.

The rise in properties between October 2009 and October 2010 was particularly high, almost double what would normally be expected, and not typical for West Devon.

'The number of properties eligible for B and D council tax normally increase by about 200 each year but last year the increase was 400,' said Lisa Buckle.

'It's a really good news story and the money can be spent on anything, really, in accordance with local priorities.'

Councillors agreed to put £100,000 of the money into the capital resources as the council had very limited resources to fund any future project beyond March 31, 2012.