Until now, the fund has been earmarked solely to help local community groups develop a Community Right to Build Order under the Localism Act which, if approved, would circumvent the need for planning permission for any development contained in the order.
The fund, which will be available for communities outside London until 2015, will now be open for projects including self-build homes, community shops, plots for housing or empty home renovations. It will be managed by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Prisk said the expansion aims to ensure that local building plans can access the same support, whatever route they take and that communities are not put off building by the challenges of designs and permissions.
"From barn conversions to bungalows, anyone wanting to build new homes in their area should have the opportunity to do so," Prisk said in a statement. "That’s why we’re opening the door to a £17 million support fund which will help people navigate the early stages of any project".
"Today’s cash will make it easier for aspiring self-builders and communities to get their projects off the ground, opening the door for hundreds of potential building projects across the country," Prisk added.
"Funding to help community groups boost their capacity to apply for planning permission will be very welcome in our local neighbourhoods and communities," said HCA chief executive Andy Rose. "The broadened scope of the programme is evidence of the Government’s commitment to help community groups and parish councils to achieve the development that they want to see take place in their local areas," he said.
Separate funding arrangements for community projects in London are administered by the Greater London Authority (GLA). Deputy Mayor for Land and Housing Richard Blakeway said that the GLA has been working with a wider approach for over a year which has "gone down well".
"Opening up the fund to as wide a group as possible means it’s even easier for community groups to access the money they need to make positive changes in their neighbourhood and help deliver more affordable homes for the capital," he said.
