The housing initiative will convert underutilised land, including empty buildings and industrial sites, into homes. Credit: Clare Louise Jackson/Shutterstock.

The UK government has announced a £68m ($88.2m) investment to support the development of 5,200 new homes on brownfield sites across the country.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to stimulate the economy, create jobs and provide much-needed housing.

The funding, delivered through the Brownfield Land Release Fund, will enable 54 councils to repurpose underutilised land, such as empty buildings and former industrial sites, into vibrant residential areas.

Set to cover costs associated with decontamination and infrastructure improvements, the funding aims to alleviate the financial burden that often hinders brownfield site development.

In Manchester, a £2.9m grant will facilitate the construction of 220 affordable homes on a vacant brownfield site. Similarly, Eastbourne will receive £2.2m to transform a former industrial site into 100 new homes, including 80 affordable properties.

Weston-super-Mare’s town centre will benefit from £1.7m, allowing for the development of 100 homes on brownfield land. Northampton has been allocated £1.4m to redevelop a former bus depot into 72 new homes.

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UK Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said: “The government is committed to a brownfield-first approach to housebuilding, and we have already taken steps to prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land through our proposals for a ‘brownfield passport’.

“The funding announced today will support the delivery of thousands of new homes and boost economic growth by unlocking development on scores of abandoned, disused and neglected urban sites across the country.”

In addition to the Brownfield Land Release Fund, Homes England is injecting £30m into the rejuvenation of Riverside Sunderland, targeting the creation of around 1,000 homes, community amenities, and one million ft₂ of office space that could yield 8,000 to 10,000 jobs.

The government’s broader strategy to fast-track its 1.5m new homes target includes overhauling the National Planning Policy Framework, forming a New Homes Accelerator, introducing the ‘brownfield passports’ and setting up an independent New Towns Taskforce.

The housing initiative coincides with the announcement that more than £550m in impact investments will fund tens of thousands of new homes across Britain.