Housing minister Kit Malthouse has unveiled a funding package worth nearly £9m to help local communities build and then buy discounted homes.

The minister said volunteer groups looking to build discounted homes would be able to apply for between £10,000 and £50,000 from a pot of £8.5m to help identify suitable sites, get planning permission and provide what he called “other technical support”.

Free specialist advice and guidance would also be offered to those taking part in the three-year pilot programme.