MOD boosts Government target for providing land for new housing
The Ministry of Defence has released enough land for more than 38,000 new homes, helping the Government to surpass its target
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced that the MOD has helped the Government surpass its land release targets
The MOD has helped the Government exceed its target to release land for 100,000 new homes, after contributing more than a third of this amount.
As part of the Government’s commitment to freeing up public sector land for housing, the MOD has released sufficient land by the end of February to deliver 38,661 housing units.
The amount of land sold by the Government has surpassed the original commitment set for this Parliament by 3,000, hitting 103,000 and is expected to rise again by the end of March 2015.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
This Government is committed to building new homes so hardworking families can get on and then move up the property ladder. The MOD has played a huge role, releasing enough land to build more than a third of the overall government target of 100,000 homes.
The MOD is now working hard to ensure its future estate is no bigger than necessary and that any surplus land is identified and disposed of as quickly as possible, so that it can be put to good use.
The most recent contract was awarded to the Joint Venture partnership of Taylor Wimpey and Dorchester Regeneration to build 2,400 new homes on land at Prince Philip Barracks in Bordon, Hampshire.
Bordon Garrison was declared surplus to requirements in July 2013, with plans made to relocate its functions to Lyneham. The redevelopment will not only see the creation of houses but also a new relief road, community facilities and town.
Enough unused public sector land has now been released to build over 103,000 new homes, surpassing the original commitment set for this Parliament. The land released to date comprises of 899 sites across England.
Other MOD site disposals that helped achieve the land release target include:
- Waterbeach - 7,600 units
- Bicester - 1,900 units
- Deepcut - 1,200 units
- Shorncliffe - 1,160 units
- Wyton - 4,500 units
- Bordon - 2,400 units
- Aldershot – 3,850 units
- Arborfield – 2,000 units