The programme will lead to more green spaces being created and an increase in the volume of high-quality homes built.

Councils across England and private developers who have secured support from local authorities will be able to apply to receive tailored advice and potential grant funding from the programme.

•   The key proposals from the social housing green paper
•   Councils can now quadruple tax on long-term empty homes
•   Property prices 42% higher in garden hotspots

Brokenshire said: “This plan is about the government working with councils and developers to get great homes in keeping with beautiful areas in England.

“We want to help local authorities build strong and vibrant communities, where people want to live, work and raise families.

“Our garden communities programme  already has the potential to provide over 200,000 new homes by 2050, and we want to go further.”