OPE programme assigns latest funds

The latest round of funding from the One Public Estate programme has been assigned.

Established in 2013, the OPE programme was designed to make better use of public-sector sites, free up space for new homes and create jobs. The latest plans aim to develop public-sector land to bring forward 10,000 new homes, 14,000 new jobs and save taxpayers £37M in running costs.

The current £15M investment will see a range of new proposals brought forward for more than 100 sites across the country.

One Public Estate programme has already freed-up land for the development of more than 3,000 new homes across England

It encourages the emergency services, local councils and government departments to work more closely together by sharing sites and creating public-sector ‘hubs’ – where services are delivered in one place. So far, the programme has saved taxpayers £24M in running costs, created 5,745 new jobs and released land for the development of 3,336 new homes.

The latest round of the programme will see more than 100 local public-sector sites, such as:

• £680,000 for projects in Waltham Forest, including proposals to bring forward the redevelopment of the 100-year-old Whipps Cross Hospital and sites in public and private ownership for housing development in the Forest Road Corridor
• £505,000 for projects in Devon and Torbay, including the regeneration of land around St David’s station in Exeter
• £405,000 for projects in Northamptonshire, including plans to release land around Kettering railway station for the development of new houses and station improvements
• £410,000 for projects in Worcestershire, including delivering new housing and regeneration around Redditch station, as part of the Rail Quarter development

The Minister for Implementation, Oliver Dowden, said: “Getting the best use out of publicly-owned land can help to regenerate our towns and cities and give people improved access to the services they need.

“This programme shows that when government works smarter, with public authorities coming together, taxpayers get better value for money, new jobs are created and space is freed-up for vitally needed new homes.”

The Minister of State for Housing, Kit Malthouse, said: “This government is committed to helping more people get on the housing ladder and restoring the dream of home ownership for a new generation. The One Public Estates programme will not only help more people find a home of their own, but also help create jobs and save taxpayers’ money.

“The latest projects to share £15M of funding will make a real difference to local communities and provide better services to residents.”

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