<table> <tbody><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td><i> National operators will benefit – Susan Hawker<br/></i></td></tr></tbody></table>A number of housebuilders have submitted bids for social housing grant, which has been made available to them since the Housing Act opened up Housing Corporation funds to the private sector. <p></p><p>David Wilson, Bellway, Countryside Properties, Taylor Woodrow, Barratt and Crest Nicholson are planning to access the £200 million pilot project money to built between 400 and 1000 units each, and have submitted preliminary applications. The Corporation will invite detailed bids in April, and final approvals are expected by summer, at which time the full £1.67 billion development fund will be opened up. </p><p>But competing with registered social landlords who have a proven track record in housing management will be tough for developers, leading to suggestions of an unfair advantage for RSLs. Susan Hawker of law firm Wedlake Bell said: “Opening up access to grant funding could encourage developers to build more affordable housing. But there seems to be some reluctance on the part of the Housing Corporation to loosen the purse strings. The new measures may not make it much easier for many developers to access grant aid: those that stand to benefit are likely to be the large scale, …