Jul 25 2007
Following the Prime Minister’s pledge to increase the number of new homes by three million by 2020, Department for Transport and Communities and Local Government have been working together to identify further surplus land.
470 sites have now been identified following a review with BRB (Residuary) Ltd and the Highways Agency (HA) of their surplus landholdings. These sites could make a considerable contribution to Government’s increased target of 240,000 homes a year by 2016.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said:
“My Department has identified over 2,500 acres of land that could potentially be used for new and affordable homes and is working with English Partnerships to ensure that this land is assessed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“This could mark a significant contribution of land for new homes and I am pleased that we are making such swift progress in bringing forward proposals to meet the Prime Minister’s priority of more new and affordable housing.
“In addition the Department is reviewing its land holdings and if further surplus land is identified housing use will be given high priority”.
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said:
“We need to build more houses for the next generation, and we’ve made clear that brownfield sites are the priority for this.
“This is why we’ve been working with the Department for Transport to identify further surplus sites and I am delighted that we can today announce 470 sites that could contribute to the pressing need for more homes.”
Both Departments are working with English Partnerships to establish a programme to review potentially surplus land assets along with developing a disposal strategy to bring forward quick and efficient transfer for delivery of new and affordable homes