More surplus public sector land to be offered for housing

The government has announced its Land Release Fund (LRF) and the One Public Estate (OPE) programme to release surplus land for housing will receive a £30m boost.

The LRF will offer councils the opportunity to bid for £20 million for remediation works and infrastructure to bring their surplus sites forward for housing.

The programme currently supports 73 council projects which are on track to release land for more than 6,000 homes by next March

While the OPE programme will provide £10 million, supporting the earliest stages of development.

New and existing partnerships will be able to bid for practical support to deliver ambitious property programmes in collaboration with central government and other public sector partners, which deliver homes, jobs, efficiencies and improved public services.

The government also confirmed that the funding will be allocated in the current financial year and is now available for bids.

‘This new funding will help councils right across England to turn unloved, unused land into new homes and communities where they are needed most,’ said housing minister, Christopher Pincher.

‘It is an important part of how we are working with local government and the housing industry at every level to support our recovery from the impact of the pandemic.’

The chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), Cllr James Jamieson, added: ‘One Public Estate will play a crucial role as we move into the next phase and help with the local and national economic recovery. This additional funding will support councils to make better use of their assets, including their spare land and property, to help join up local services.

‘This in turn will create new savings and efficiencies, as we look towards the future of local public services after the pandemic.’

Photo Credit – Micheal Gaida (Pixabay)