- Plans for public-sector land to be developed which
aim to bring forward 10,000 new homes, 14,000 new jobs
and save taxpayers £37million in running costs
- £15million investment will see a range of new
proposals brought forward for more than 100 sites across
the country
- One Public Estate programme has already freed-up land
for the development of more than 3,000 new homes across
England
Development plans which could see more than 10,000
new homes built across England and 14,000 new jobs created
by 2024/25 are to be brought forward through a £15million
government project.
The One Public Estate programme was launched in 2013 to
make better use of public-sector sites, free up space for
new homes and create jobs.
It encourages the emergency services, local councils and
government departments to work more closely together by
sharing sites and creating public-sector ‘hubs’ - where
services are delivered in one place. So far, the programme
has saved taxpayers £24million in running costs, created
5,745 new jobs and released land for the development of
3,336 new homes.
The latest round of the programme will see money and
support given to more than 100 local public-sector
partnerships across England, to bring forward proposals for
a range of new projects on public-sector sites.
These include:
- £680,000 for projects in Waltham Forest, including
proposals to bring forward the redevelopment of the
100-year-old Whipps Cross Hospital and sites in public and
private ownership for housing development in the Forest
Road Corridor
- £505,000 for projects in Devon and Torbay, including
the regeneration of land around St David’s station in
Exeter
- £405,000 for projects in Northamptonshire, including
plans to release land around Kettering railway station for
the development of new houses and station improvements
- £410,000 for projects in Worcestershire, including
delivering new housing and regeneration around Redditch
station, as part of the Rail Quarter development
The Minister for Implementation, , said:
Getting the best use out of publicly-owned land can help
to regenerate our towns and cities and give people
improved access to the services they need.
This programme shows that when government works smarter,
with public authorities coming together, taxpayers get
better value for money, new jobs are created and space is
freed-up for vitally needed new homes.
The One Public Estate programme is a joint initiative
between the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Housing,
Communities & Local Government and the Local Government
Association. It now covers 95% of all local authority areas
in England.
Funding for the latest round of the programme will help
with the creation of feasibility studies and masterplans
for the potential development sites.
It is hoped the work will bring forward savings of
£37million in public-sector running costs and allow the
redevelopment of a large number of brownfield sites.
The Minister of State for Housing, , said:
This government is committed to helping more people get
on the housing ladder and restoring the dream of home
ownership for a new generation. The One Public Estates
programme will not only help more people find a home of
their own, but also help create jobs and save taxpayers’
money.
The latest projects to share £15million of funding will
make a real difference to local communities and provide
better services to residents.
, Chairman of the Local
Government Association, said:
I’m pleased to see One Public Estate continue to grow
from strength to strength. This latest round will see the
programme now deliver more than 650 projects in total,
all of which support councils to work with the wider
public sector to deliver the best public services and
place for their local communities.
The delivery of new homes remains a national priority and
with 95% of councils now part of the programme. It’s
clear to see that local government remains committed to
building the right homes for the places they serve.
