The government has announced plans to revitalize the country’s housing market by transforming neglected brownfield sites into new housing developments. This effort, aimed at creating jobs
and boosting the economy, includes a multi-million-pound funding boost for local councils to repurpose disused urban land.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has allocated £68 million to 54 councils, allowing them to convert underused land into affordable housing. The funding will help councils clear abandoned buildings, car parks, and industrial areas, creating new opportunities for families to purchase homes and rejuvenating communities affected by unused sites.
Through the Brownfield Land Release Fund, councils will be able to cover the costs of decontaminating land, demolishing old structures, and enhancing infrastructure, such as internet, water, and power access. These upgrades will enable the construction of 5,200 homes across the country.
Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the government’s commitment to achieving 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current parliamentary term, underscoring a focus on boosting growth by supporting homebuilders. The brownfield-first strategy is expected to drive housebuilding, create jobs, provide essential infrastructure, and support economic growth in communities.
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook highlighted the importance of a brownfield-first approach to urban development, referencing new initiatives like a “brownfield passport” to fast-track construction on pre-used land.
Some notable projects benefiting from the funding include:
£2.9 million to Manchester for 220 affordable homes
£2.2 million to Eastbourne to transform an industrial site into 100 homes, 80 of which will be affordable
£1.7 million to Weston-Super-Mare to build over 100 homes on town center brownfield land
£1.4 million to Northampton to repurpose a former bus depot into 72 homes
Additionally, Homes England will invest £30 million to accelerate the transformation of the Riverside Sunderland area, turning it from an industrial region into a vibrant community with 1,000 homes, community spaces, and office facilities projected to provide 8,000-10,000 jobs.
To achieve the 1.5 million homes goal, the government is also:
Proposing planning reforms, including mandatory targets for local councils.
Launching the New Homes Accelerator to expedite planning and construction for stalled projects.
Creating "brownfield passports" to streamline planning approvals for projects meeting quality and design standards.
Establishing a New Towns Taskforce focused on developing large communities of 10,000 homes or more.
Today’s announcement of over £550 million in impact investments will also support tens of thousands of new homes across Britain. This influx of funding highlights renewed investor confidence, showing that Britain remains a strong and open market for development. Photo by Prime Minister’s Office, Wikimedia commons.