Council-owned plots secure Government backing
The Government has awarded £5m from its Land Release Fund to 10 North West projects, “to combat barriers which would otherwise make land unusable for development” on council-owned sites.
The projects include necessary works such as improving access and drainage, as well as new roads to alleviate congestion.
This move comes two weeks after the first wave of funding from the £5bn Housing Infrastructure Fund was announced.
In Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, a £1.7m investment will go towards roads, roundabouts, and utility services, unlocking up to 330 homes potentially built with Japanese modular housing techniques.
At Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire, a £670,000 grant will improve access and ground works to make a site suitable for 140 homes.
The total list of sites to receive money in the North West from the Land Release Fund are:
| Blackburn with Darwen | Newfield Development Area | £32,000 |
| Blackburn with Darwen | Fishmoor Drive | £35,000 |
| Blackburn with Darwen | Griffin | £670,000 |
| Blackpool | Bispham Road | £1.05m |
| Blackpool | Blackpool Road, Poulton | £1.7m |
| Blackpool | Ryscar Way | £400,000 |
| Salford | Salford Development Site, Astley Road | £500,000 |
| Salford | Swinton transformation, Salford | £110,000 |
| Salford | Little Hulton Residential Development, Longshaw Drive, Salford | £90,000 |
| South Ribble | Bamber Bridge and Lockstock Hall | £362,000 |
Housing and planning Minister Dominic Raab, said: “We are investing £8.9m across the Northern Powerhouse to build roads and provide utilities, so councils can release the land to get up to 2,241 new homes built.
“It’s part of our strategy to build the homes Britain needs, and carry local communities with us.
“We’re determined to make buying or renting more affordable for young families and those on low or middle incomes.”
The Land Release Fund is being administered through a partnership with the Local Government Association and Cabinet Office’s One Public Estate programme.
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