The government has created a new taskforce to release surplus public land for housing.
The taskforce will identify unused defence and railway land that will be released by cross-government collaboration between the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Homes England, Network Rail and other government bodies.
This partnership approach will explore new delivery models and establish collaborative agreements. It will also see a new property company created between Network Rail Property and London & Continental Railways, which will attract public and private investment to develop brownfield sites that have the potential to deliver 40,000 new homes over the next 10 years.
The first site to be “unblocked” is on MoD land at Deverell Barracks in Ripon. The site will be transferred from MoD to Homes England to allow construction at the barracks to start within 12 months and expedite the delivery of 1,300 homes.
A new partnership between the MoD and Homes England will also aim to unlock a further 1,300 homes by partially releasing land at Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell, and deliver thousands of new homes at Wyton airfield in Cambridgeshire in the coming years.
The defence secretary has identified the long-term opportunity to build more than 100,000 homes on surplus MoD land.
As part of the new railway property company, significant development sites that have been identified include Newcastle Forth Yards, Manchester Mayfield and two sites in Cambridge and Nottingham.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “For too long, surplus government-owned sites have gone underused, but they are a huge untapped resource that could create opportunities for the next generation of homeowners. In contrast to the failed approach of the past, we are making the best use of public land to build the homes that families and our armed forces need, improving opportunities for homeownership and creating jobs across the country.
“The OBR has confirmed our planning reforms will result in housebuilding being at its highest in over 40 years – that won’t just bring jobs and economic growth – but also will give families the homes that they deserve, delivering on our Plan for Change.”
Deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner (pictured) added: “So many working people and families are locked out of the dream of a secure home and this is a direct consequence of the housing crisis we’ve inherited. That’s why we’re unlocking public land today for much-needed new housing to help end the housing crisis, deliver 1.5 million homes, and unleash growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
Defence secretary John Healey said: “This work will unlock thousands of new homes on surplus defence land, including in North Yorkshire, Nottingham and Cambridgeshire – developments promised for years by the last government, but never delivered. This heralds a new, trailblazer approach to the use of public land which will not be a fire sale of public assets, but a truly cross-government effort to remove blockers, deliver homes and boost growth in support of our Plan for Change.
“This taskforce is a bold first step, as we make the most of an historic opportunity to build over 100,000 homes on surplus defence land in the coming years, delivering on our commitments to British families and our armed forces.”
