Greg Hands MP has welcomed new figures showing that Conservative efforts to get surplus and redundant public sector land brought back into use could help to deliver over 1,100 homes in Chelsea and Fulham and surrounding areas.
Thanks to Government efforts, a total of 899 redundant and surplus brownfield sites that were owned by the Government or a public sector organisation have now been sold off across England, more than the original target.
Across the country enough surplus public sector land that was lying unused and idle has now been sold off to allow the building of over 100,000 new, good quality homes. These are brownfield sites that were often derelict and run-down, meaning that redeveloping these sites will improve the local area and create new jobs and opportunities in the construction industry.
This is just the beginning: the Conservatives have plans, if re-elected, to release enough surplus and redundant land over the next five years to build a further 150,000 new homes. The Government now want councils to follow its example and start releasing their surplus land to get more homes built. This is part of the Conservatives’ long-term economic plan that is getting Britain building again, with more homes now being built than at any time since 2007.
Greg Hands commented on the figures, saying: “The Conservatives believe that everyone who works hard should be able to have a home of their own. But when we came to office in 2010, for many people that was nothing more than a pipe dream.
“That’s why, as part of our long-term economic plan, we have worked to get Britain building again. This has included selling off surplus and redundant public sector land. As a result, across the two boroughs that make up my constituency, there is now the opportunity to build 1,027 new homes on brownfield sites here in Hammersmith and Fulham, and space for a further 76 new homes on redundant land in the Kensington and Chelsea area.
“Every new home that is delivered in Chelsea and Fulham means one more family able to find a good quality, affordable place to live where they can plan for their future with greater security and peace of mind.
“I urge both local councils to work with local communities to develop these brownfield sites in a way that is appropriate, with good quality designs and development that is sensitive to the local area.”