18 August 2014
Councils are being encouraged to team up with developers and apply for government funding to build thousands of new homes using the custom build approach, the Housing and Planning Minster has announced.
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Brandon Lewis has revealed the bidding criteria for a share of £200 million that will help create 10 housing zones on brownfield land. Funding applications will need to demonstrate a commitment to build the new homes quickly, and make the most of innovative building and delivery techniques such as custom build.
The new housing zones, which will be outside London, should be large enough to deliver 750 to 2,000 properties, and will complement plans for 20 new housing zones in the capital. A separate bidding process for £400 million from the government and the Mayor is already underway.
Bids should also consider whether housing zone sites can be linked to other government-backed initiatives such as the Custom Build Serviced Plots Loan Fund.
Mr Lewis said: “The new dedicated housing zones will transform disused and derelict land, and ensure the new homes are built quickly in a process that is more straightforward for councils and builders.”
Ministers are committed to accelerate development on sites suitable for housing and local development orders are a flexible option that councils can use to grant planning permission so construction can begin as soon as possible. A separate £5 million funding pot is available to help councils consult on local development orders for brownfield land they identify.
Bidding will formally open this Friday (22 August), at which point local authorities wishing to submit an application will be able to do so through the HCA’s Partner Portal. Associated bidding documentation templates will also be made available on 22 August 2014.
