Third round of Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 opens for bids

The third round of the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 has opened for bids.

The money will be used to deliver thousands of homes on council-owned brownfield sites through up to £80 million to transform neglected land.

Councils are now able to bid for a share of the final round.

It is hoped the latest round will release land for over 8,000 new homes by March 2028, create thousands of jobs and transform underused sites into places where people want to live and work.

Minister for housing Lee Rowley said: “We want to build the new homes people need and brownfield land is crucial to delivering the Long-Term Plan for Housing, as part our of mission to level up the country.

“This fund will transform unloved and unused brownfield sites into thriving new communities, helping more young families on to the property ladder and creating thousands of jobs.

“This is a game changer for councils and I strongly encourage them to apply and reap the benefits in their local areas.”

Cabinet officer minister Alex Burghart said: “This funding will help unlock much-needed redevelopment of unloved, previously derelict brownfield sites: stimulating growth, investment, and job opportunities.

“It’s fantastic news for business, and even better news for local people who will now see new family homes in their communities.”

Chair of the Local Government Association Shaun Davies said: “Following the success of the first two rounds of BLRF2 funding, I am pleased the LGA continues its partnership with DLUHC and Cabinet Office helping councils to access the latest round of this fund, which provides much needed capital grants to bring surplus council-owned sites forward for housing.   

“The One Public Estate programme has helped to shape this latest funding offer to ensure it can help as many councils as possible bring forward viable housing schemes on their land. I would urge councils to consider how this third round of BLRF2 can help them address local housing needs, and support placemaking and regeneration ambitions.”