Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Government announces another £68m for homes on brownfield land

The money, provided under a scheme started by the previous government, is expected to deliver 5,200 homes.

Christopher McKeon
Tuesday 15 October 2024 11:25 BST
Sir Keir Starmer hailed the £68 million announcement as an example of the Government delivering change, but the fund was set up by his predecessors (Joe Giddens/PA)
Sir Keir Starmer hailed the £68 million announcement as an example of the Government delivering change, but the fund was set up by his predecessors (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Councils will receive £68 million to help build thousands of homes on disused brownfield sites, the Government has announced.

The money, spread around 54 local authorities, is expected to deliver 5,200 homes on sites such as former car parks and industrial land that can be difficult to build on.

Sir Keir Starmer, who has pledged to build 1.5 million homes over the course of this Parliament, hailed the announcement on Tuesday as an example of the Government “rolling up its sleeves and delivering the change the British people deserve”.

But the money is part of the second brownfield land release fund (BLRF2) initiated under Boris Johnson that has already awarded £95 million to help councils build an expected 6,800 homes.

This third round of the BLRF2 had made up to £80 million available, but only £68 million has been awarded as some councils did not meet eligibility criteria.

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

Sir Keir Starmer

The Prime Minister said: “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.”

Projects funded by Tuesday’s announcement include £2.9 million for 220 homes on a vacant site in Manchester, £2.2 million to build 80 homes on a former industrial site in Eastbourne and £1.7 million to build more than 100 homes on brownfield land in central Weston-Super-Mare.

Homes England has also announced £30 million to help the Riverside Sunderland project looking to redevelop former industrial land just south of the Stadium of Light.

That project aims to build 1,000 homes and provide space for between 8,000 and 10,000 jobs.

Housing 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.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in