The UK government has announced a £68 million funding boost to help councils across the country turn disused brownfield sites into thousands of new homes, as part of its strategy to address the ongoing housing crisis and stimulate economic growth.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the funding today, pledging that 54 local councils will benefit, enabling them to transform neglected land, such as former car parks and industrial sites, into homes. The move is seen as part of the government’s broader commitment to delivering 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliamentary term.
“This government is on the side of the builders, not the blockers,” said Starmer. “This funding for councils will transform wastelands into thousands of new homes in areas where people want to live and work. Our brownfield-first approach will not only boost housebuilding but also create jobs, deliver critical infrastructure, and stimulate economic growth across the country.”
The funding will be delivered through the Brownfield Land Release Fund and aims to facilitate the construction of 5,200 homes by helping councils prepare brownfield sites, which are typically expensive to clear and repurpose for residential development. Councils will be able to use the funds to cover costs such as decontaminating land, demolishing disused buildings, and improving infrastructure like water, power, and broadband.
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook highlighted the importance of focusing on urban brownfield sites for new housing. “The government is committed to a brownfield-first approach,” he said. “Today’s funding will unlock development on scores of abandoned and neglected urban sites, boosting economic growth and providing much-needed homes.”
Among the projects benefiting from the funding are:
- £2.9 million allocated to Manchester to build 220 affordable homes on a vacant brownfield site,
- £2.2 million for Eastbourne to convert a former industrial site into 100 homes, 80 of which will be affordable,
- £1.7 million for Weston-Super-Mare town centre to build over 100 homes on brownfield land, and
- £1.4 million for Northampton to redevelop a former bus depot, delivering 72 new homes.
Additionally, Homes England has committed £30 million to support the transformation of the Riverside Sunderland area, a former industrial hub, into a vibrant new community with 1,000 homes, new infrastructure, and office space. This broader regeneration project aims to create accommodation for between 8,000 and 10,000 jobs.
The government is also pushing through broader reforms to accelerate housebuilding, including an overhaul of the planning system. Mandatory housebuilding targets are being introduced for councils, and a new “brownfield passport” scheme will fast-track planning permissions for projects that meet design and quality standards.
As part of its wider ambition, the government has also set up a New Homes Accelerator group to unblock thousands of homes stuck in the planning process and established an independent New Towns Taskforce to explore long-term plans for new communities, each consisting of at least 10,000 homes.
Earlier today, it was announced that £550 million worth of impact investments will fund tens of thousands of new homes across the UK, demonstrating renewed investor confidence in Britain’s housing market. The government’s measures are designed to make a lasting impact, as it seeks to tackle the housing shortage and rebuild investor trust in the sector.