New Government funding will help kick-start the building of
thousands of new homes by transforming surplus public sector
land.
In a speech at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s (CIH)
annual conference, Cabinet Office Minister has announced
today (Wednesday 9 September) that the Government is boosting its
Land Release Fund (LRF) and the One Public Estate (OPE) programme
with an additional £30 million to help release surplus land for
housing and support local economies to bounce back from the
pandemic.
The LRF will offer councils the opportunity to bid for £20
million for remediation works and infrastructure to bring their
surplus sites forward for housing. The LRF targets small sites
with a focus on supporting SME builders.
The LRF currently supports 73 council projects which are on
track to release land for more than 6,000 homes by next March.
Examples include:
· Broadland District Council in
Norfolk: awarded funding to deliver improvements
such as site highways works and the implementation of a surface
water drainage strategy and pumping station. 22 homes at Rosebery
Road, Great Plumstead have now been completed by Broadland
District Council’s housing company.
· The Griffin regeneration area
in Blackburn: awarded funding to carry out new
highways access and land remediation work to accelerate the
release of brownfield land for 140 new homes. This has helped to
make the site viable, supporting regeneration of the local area
and bringing forward a much-needed scheme of new family homes for
rent and sale.
The OPE programme will provide £10 million, supporting the
earliest stages of development. New and existing partnerships
will be able to bid for practical support to deliver ambitious
property programmes in collaboration with central Government and
other public sector partners, which deliver homes, jobs,
efficiencies and improved public services.
The Burnholme development in York is one
example, supporting the delivery of a modern health
and wellbeing hub with new homes and spaces for education, health
and worship.
Cabinet Office Minister said:
“By taking a fresh look at how we use buildings and
release surplus public property and land, the One Public Estate
programme has helped to create thousands of new homes and jobs
and breathed new life into communities.
“As we look forward, across Government and local
authorities, we will continue this work to make sure we deliver
the vital public services people need while providing value for
money for taxpayers.”
Housing Minister Rt Hon MP
said:
“Delivering much-needed new homes across the country is
central to the mission of this Government.
“This new funding will help councils right across England
to turn unloved, unused land into new homes and communities where
they are needed most. It is an important part of how we are
working with local government and the housing industry at every
level to support our recovery from the impact of the
pandemic.”
Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government
Association, said:
“Councils continue to lead their communities through the
coronavirus crisis, working closely with other local partners
including health and emergency services.
“One Public Estate will play a crucial role as we move into the
next phase and help with the local and national economic
recovery. This additional funding will support councils to make
better use of their assets, including their spare land and
property, to help join up local services.
“This in turn will create new savings and efficiencies, as we
look towards the future of local public services after the
pandemic.”
Funding will be allocated in the current financial year and
is now available for bids.
Today’s announcement builds on measures to transform unused
land to deliver much-needed new homes, including the announcement
last month that the Government is investing £360 million in
Mayoral Combined Authority areas through its £400 million
Brownfield Fund. This will deliver 26,000 new homes while
protecting greenfield sites.
