EAST Lancashire’s borough councils will next year get a government cash bonus of more than £6million for promoting new homes in their areas.

This is four times last year’s figure of just £1.46million.

The scheme rewards councils where property development has taken place.

Town hall bosses have yet to decide how the money will be spent but can use it however they wish, including paying for services or freezing council tax.

Even Hyndburn, which last year received just £5,320, gets £346,775 for the financial year 2014/2015.

For 2013/2014 Chorley Council was awarded £739,008, Burnley £240,208, Pendle £179,420, Ribble Valley £170,723, Rossendale £73,085, and Blackburn with Darwen £58,272. For the coming financial year Chorley gets £2,629,818, Burnley £583,341, Pendle £714,071, Ribble Valley £576,563, Rossendale £583,390, and Blackburn with Darwen £897,060.

Although the £6.3million for the seven councils is far more than last year, it contrast with multi-million pound payments to borough’s in London and South of England property hotspots.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: “This extra money from the government is welcome but it comes against a background of much larger cuts in mainstream Whitehall grants to East Lancashire’s councils.”

Burnley borough housing director Paul Gatrell said: “We welcome the award. Burnley Council is committed to regenerating housing across the borough. We’re working with private developers to build new good quality homes that meet the needs of our communities..

Ribble Valley council chief executive Marshal Scott said it was ‘compensation’ for finance settlement cuts.