THE FOREST Council is set to receive more than £1 million as a "reward" for delivering more homes in the district.

The New Homes Bonus is a grant paid by the government to councils for increasing the number of homes, including bringing disused houses back into use.

The provisional figure for the Forest of Dean Council for the financial year 2014-2015 announced by the Department for Communities and Local Government is £1,130,772.

Since 2011 there have been 986 homes – 408 of which have been "affordable" – built in the Forest and 26 empty houses brought back into use.

Next year's bonus will bring the total payment for the Forest to £2,546,230 since the scheme began in 2011.

Housing minister Kris Hopkins said: "Councils have received over £2 billion for their part in getting Britain building, and leading to housing construction reaching its highest levels for seven years.

"They are free to spend the money any way they like to benefit their local communities – whether that's supporting frontline services, providing new facilities or freezing council tax."