Government identifies sites for new housing as part of forthcoming strategy
The government has now identified plots for 83,500 homes on government–owned land, according to a report in the Financial Times.
The government has committed itself to getting departments and quangos to identify publicly-owned land that can be used for housing, in order to kick-start development, and said it had identified plots for 50,000 homes at the time of the Tory party conference in October.
The paper quoted “coalition insiders” as saying the figure has now risen to 83,500.
Housing minister Grant Shapps said: “The government made it clear that we can only solve the housing crisis by building more homes. That is why we’re determined to bring forward derelict brownfield land that the government holds.
“Our progress so far has been stunning.”
The report said the figure will form part of the expected 29 November announcement of a housing strategy and infrastructure plan to boost growth in the British economy. Weekend reports said the combined package, to be launched alongside the chancellor’s autumn statement, will be worth £50bn, but with most of the money coming from the private sector.
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