Liberal Democrats: Surplus govt land needed for affordable homes
Date posted: 26 Aug 2009
Ministers should use surplus land owned by the public sector to help provide social housing for people on waiting lists, the Liberal Democrat Party suggests.
According to research conducted by the party, the government owns surplus land which is large enough to build almost 100,000 affordable houses.
The Liberal Democrats believe that surplus land totalling more than 3,100 hectares is owned by the public sector, which is being left to stand empty for years.
Ministers should use surplus land owned by the public sector to help provide social housing for people on waiting lists, the Liberal Democrat Party suggests.
According to research conducted by the party, the government owns surplus land which is large enough to build almost 100,000 affordable houses.
The Liberal Democrats believe that surplus land totalling more than 3,100 hectares is owned by the public sector, which is being left to stand empty for years.
Sarah Teather, shadow housing minister for the political party, said that the government should undertake an audit on surplus land to see how it could help families on housing waiting lists.
She continued: "Land shouldn't sit empty for years on end if there are people with nowhere to live.
"We have a unique opportunity to build much-needed social and affordable homes, boost the struggling construction industry, and protect future generations from the misery of temporary accommodation."
In recent weeks, the National Housing Federation has also called on ministers to provide more support to the social housing sector.
Click here to email or call on 0207 382 8060.
Partner
Our team work with commercial and residential developers, property investors and property funds, construction companies, registered providers, private clients and land owners.
Learn more...
