Brownfield sites unlocked for housing

£68 million has been announced to unlock brownfield sites for housing.

54 councils are set to get a share of the money to turn neglected land into new homes. It is hoped the funding will transform local communities and help families onto the property ladder.

The funding can be used by councils to clear empty buildings, former car parks and industrial land to make way for homes.

The money will be delivered through the Brownfield Land Release Fund, councils will be able to cover the cost of decontamination, clearing disused buildings or improving infrastructure such as internet, water and power. It is hoped enough land will be released to enable 5,200 homes to be built across the country.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "From the outset we promised to get this country building again to deliver 1.5 million homes over this parliament and help tackle the housing crisis we have inherited. That is the essence of fixing the foundations and driving growth.

"I said this government is on the side of the builders, not the blockers. And I meant it. This funding for councils will see disused sites and industrial wastelands transformed into thousands of new homes in places that people want to live and work. Our brownfield-first approach will not only ramp up housebuilding but also create more jobs, deliver much-needed infrastructure, and boost economic growth across the country.

"This government is rolling up its sleeves and delivering the change the British people deserve."

£2.9 million will go to Manchester to unlock a vacant brownfield site to build 220 affordable homes, while £2.2 million will go to Eastbourne to transform a former industrial site, to build 100 new homes including 80 affordable houses.

Housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook said: "The government is committed to a brownfield-first approach to housebuilding, and we have already taken steps to prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land through our proposals for a ‘brownfield passport’.

"The funding announced today will support the delivery of thousands of new homes and boost economic growth by unlocking development on scores of abandoned, disused and neglected urban sites across the country."

Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the Local Government Association, said: “We are delighted to continue our work with MHCLG, supporting councils to access the Brownfield Land Release Fund to remediate unviable council-owned brownfield land and bring it forwards for much needed homes. Delivered through the One Public Estate programme, BLRF is an important fund for English councils to unlock smaller sites and provides the flexibility for councils to deliver the types of homes their community needs at pace.”