Sector - Central Government

Brownfield land release builds new communities



A flagship government scheme has received a further funding boost which will see derelict sites across the country transformed into new communities as brownfield land is regenerated to host new homes and communities.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced the allocation of a further £11M from the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) to support 23 redevelopment schemes across 15 councils at the end of November. The funding will join the £58M allocated in October to 53 councils across the country. The Brownfield Land Release Fund will see more than 6,800 homes developed by March 2024 as well as creating 21,000 jobs in housing and construction secrtors as part of the government’s mission to level up communities across the country.

The projects will see unloved and disused sites transformed into vibrant communities, with tired, derelict buildings demolished and new roads and infrastructure built.

Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said: “Our brownfield-first approach is transforming underused sites into thriving communities where people want to live, work and visit.

“The investment we are announcing today will help people onto the property ladder, create jobs, deliver new infrastructure and provide a boost to local communities as we level up across the country.”

Projects receiving fudning in this latest allocation include:

Stoke-on-Trent: A former refuse destruction site on Booth Street will be redeveloped with £700,000 of BLRF funding. This funding will release land for the development of 118 new homes, 90% of which will be affordable housing including social rent homes for older people.

Hythe: In Hythe, the District Council will receive £2 million towards the site remediation costs of a former waste tip on this council-led development. The regeneration will deliver 150 new homes, a new leisure centre and improved public spaces and parkland.

Barrow: In Barrow-in-Furness, Barrow Borough Council will receive £1.5M to improve roads, infrastructure and utilities for the Marina Village development and key employment sites, close to the town centre. The funding will release land for 315 new homes.

Gloucester: A major redevelopment of a derelict former cattle market site at St Oswalds Park will be supported by the BLRF to deliver 180 new homes. The St Oswalds Park redevelopment is part of the regeneration work across the city supported by government, which includes the £20M investment from the Levelling Up Fund.

Chorley: In Chorley £1.1M will help bring forward the proposed re-development of a council-owned site on Bengal Street, demolishing existing buildings and addressing ground contamination to deliver a mixed use scheme incorporating residential, retail and leisure space.

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