Thousands of new homes will be built on land owned by the Ministry of Defence and Network Rail to speed up the delivery of the government’s 1.5m housing target.
Ministers have announced it will launch a cross-government taskforce to “remove the blockers, build homes and turbocharge economic growth”.
The partnership approach will explore new delivery models, establish collaborative agreements between the Ministry of Defence, Homes England, Network Rail and other government bodies.
As part of the plans, Network Rail will set up a new property company to build 40,000 homes on its rail estate.
This is alongside the government’s planning reforms, which are forecasted to add around £6.2bn to the UK’s economy, according to yesterday’s OBR forecast.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to confirm today the first four sites that will be developed in Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham.
Reeves says: “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.”
Yesterday, the OBR report concluded that the government’s planning reforms will result in housebuilding peaking at its highest level in over 40 years.
The Chancellor’s Spring Statement outlined that the government’s planning reforms will deliver an extra 170,000 homes by 2090-2030, boosting homes built by 30% that year after a 13-year house building low in 2025 to 2026.
Reeves states: “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.”
Meanwhile, deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner adds: “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 1.5m homes, and unleash growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
