Government announces £68m funding boost to clear brownfield sites for housing

The government has announced a £68m funding boost for councils to unlock disused brownfield sites for development.

The money will be given directly to 54 local authorities, which will be able to use it to cover the cost of decontamination, clearing disused buildings or improving infrastructure such as internet, water and power.

It will be delivered through the Brownfield Land Release Fund, a three-year fund worth £180m which was initially launched in July 2022.

The government claims the land released as a result of the fresh funding will enable 5,200 homes to be built across the country.

Keir Starmer, prime minister, said the funding would “see disused sites and industrial wastelands transformed into thousands of new homes in places that people want to live and work”.

Housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook added: “The funding announced today will support the delivery of thousands of new homes and boost economic growth by unlocking development on scores of abandoned, disused and neglected urban sites across the country.”

Projects set to benefit from the funding include £2.9m to unlock a Manchester brownfield site for 220 affordable homes, £2.2m to Eastbourne to transform a former industrial site, to build 100 new homes including 80 affordable houses, and more than £1.7m for Weston-Super-Mare’s town centre to allow over 100 homes to be built on brownfield land.

It comes on the same day that Homes England announced a £30m investment into the transformation of the Riverside Sunderland area.

The money will support the delivery of critical infrastructure, adding to nearly £50m in funding approved by the local authority.

The scheme will ultimately create around 1,000 new homes as well as roughly one million square feet of employment.

According to the city council, the funding is helping leverage significant investment from the private sector, with contributions from Canada Life, Legal and General, and Placefirst Limited forming part of over £600 million already invested in the programme. 

Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Sunderland is growing its reputation as one of the most ambitious and innovative local authorities in the country, leveraging public and private sector investment to deliver a world-class place to live, work and play.   

 “Securing investment on this scale is only possible because we commit and then deliver – time and time again – and this is a fantastic vote of confidence in our plans for a dynamic, vibrant new urban residential district. We’re proud to be leading this from the front.” 

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Homes England chief executive Peter Denton said: “Riverside Sunderland embodies how it’s possible to breathe new life into a place of huge historical significance for the area, and I’m very happy the Agency can support what is a strong, locally-led vision to become a reality. 

“It’s our job and privilege to help put these plans into action by providing funding and wider expertise, working hand in glove with local leaders to create a sustainable, high-quality place that really works for people.” 

Homes England recently signed a strategic place partnership with the North East Combined Authority to support brownfield schemes in the region.