The government has published details of some 600 acres of public land that can be used to develop new housing estates across the country…
The government has released the details of public sector land for sale that could be used to further the nation’s house building agenda.
Last year, ministers promised to build a million new homes by the end of parliament. This ambitious target will now be assisted by the sale of some 600 acres of public land.
Housing Minister Brandon Lewis published the details of around 80 public land sites that could be used to develop new homes. A further 40 sites are expected to be published over the next 18 months.
The government estimated more than 5,000 new homes could be constructed across these sites, with space for industry and business. With more than 20 per cent of the sites already having outline or detailed planning permission in place, the government hopes it will speed up the building process.
Lewis said: “Using surplus public sector land for housing has helped us get the country building again with the number of new homes up by 25 per cent.
“Selling off these sites will allow us to go even further, delivering on our ambition to support a further 160,000 homes, while providing a significant boost to local economies and the taxpayer.
“I now want to see developers getting shovels in the ground as quick as possible and build the homes hard working people want and deserve.”
Details of the land for sale have been published the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the government’s disposal agency for surplus public land. The HCA will use its expertise and experience managing large portfolios to support the government’s building programme.
Chief executive Andy Rose said: “The sale of surplus public land helps to meet government priorities to build more homes and business premises, while delivering a financial return to the taxpayer.
“We will use our commercial expertise and local market knowledge to make land attractive to house builders, to help get homes built more quickly and meet local priorities.
“As the government’s disposal agency for surplus public land, we are well placed to support other departments and agencies in meeting their contribution to the government’s land programme.”
Key principles relating to land disposal were set out in the Land Development and Disposal Plan, which followed a review of the HCA’s processes. The document was developed with assistance from the Home Builders Federation and its members.
The plan outlines clear objectives for selling public land.
David O’Leary, policy director at the Home Builders Federation, said: “Public sector land accounts for a significant proportion of potential residential land and can play an important part in helping the country to boost housing numbers.
“The role of the HCA is critical in helping the government to meet its ambitious targets for releasing public land for housing and the creation of a more commercial environment with greater clarity will encourage more companies to bid for sites.
“In developing this new approach, the HCA engaged constructively with the industry.
“To be successful, public land disposal processes must be as clear and efficient as possible, taking account of the needs of all house builders, from SMEs seeking small sites through to large national companies with the capacity to develop very large sites.”
During the course of the last parliament Whitehall departments released a significant amount of public sector land, capable of supporting more than 109,000 homes.
