HCA updates disposal plan

The Homes & Communities Agency has published a list of 50 sites in the North West containing more than 350 acres of development land suitable for housing and employment uses that it plans to dispose of before March 2015.

The sites range from roadside plots of less than one acre to the 23-acre Hooton Business Park, next to GM Vauxhall in Ellesmere Port, suitable for a large warehouse. Other large sites include Lillyhall North Industrial Estate in Allerdale.

The North West sites are listed in a national disposal plan published this week by the HCA. The fourth Land Development and Disposal Plan provides an updated schedule of sites that the Agency expects to bring forward for development and or disposal up until March 2015. The plan provides information about planning status and site preparedness and their anticipated disposal dates.

Richard Hill, deputy chief executive of the HCA, said: "As at 1 April 2013, the HCA is responsible for approximately 9,400 hectares of land, property assets and liabilities across England. We have a significant role to play in ensuring public sector land is brought forward for housing or commercial development in a timely and appropriate way.

"Land is key to promoting economic growth and this plan sets out how we will bring forward opportunities for new homes, employment and community facilities at sites across the country. We have already released sites to support custom build and private renting, and will now be working with local partners to identify further opportunities in 2013/14."

Sites listed will be disposed of on a competitive basis or by disposing of them through an OJEU process or auction.