The government plans to give 29 councils in outlying areas a freer rein to build housing and establish companies and shops.

At the same time, all smaller towns will be allowed to introduce large outlets, Jyllands-Posten writes.

A more liberal planning law is the main theme of the aid package for outlying areas that Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Lib) will be presenting following a government seminar today.

The ‘Denmark in Balance’ package will affect all outlying regions, but is targeted at West Jutland where the liberals have major problems of increased discontent and member loss within the party’s core constituency.

The crisis escalated a year ago when Løkke Rasmussen cemented Region Central Jutland’s decision to locate a new major hospital in Gødstrup near Herning.

Although the hospital issue has not been forgotten, the Liberal Party Chairman in Lemvig Anders Mejdahl says he is content that a West Jutland wish for better conditions has been listened to.

“Now we begin to recognise our party, and leadership is not as remote as we at one time thought,” says Mejdahl.