Bury is set to receive funding of £1,731,015 to turn unused land into housing.
The borough is one of 60 local authorities to receive cash from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It is all part of the government’s £180m Brownfield Land Release Fund, aimed at utilising sites as part of the long-term plan for housing.
Bury’s derelict car parks, industrial sites and buildings in disrepair will all benefit from the cash boost.
A Bury Council spokesperson said: “Bury Council has historically worked to develop housing on brownfield sites, in the past 10 years 86 per cent of housing completions have been on brownfield land.
“Throughout 2023 work has been approved and begun construction for 366 affordable houses across the borough all on brownfield sites. This is a part of the council’s Business Growth and Infrastructure Service and Brownfield Housing Programme where affordable housing has been successfully negotiated.
“Bury Council will continue to seek out brownfield sites and is dedicated to creating more affordable housing throughout Bury.”
MP for Bury North, James Daly said he was delighted that the government is providing substantial funds to assist in the release of appropriate brownfield land for development.
He added: “This follows on from recent policy announcements that give Bury Council every opportunity to protect green belt land, currently under threat from the Places for Everyone masterplan for our area.”
Labour MP Bury South Christian Wakeford said: “People in this country are crying out for homes and opportunities to get on the housing ladder and have been badly let down by this government.
“The number of new social homes being built is down 90 per cent since they came to power and even if people can find a house they’re struggling to find a mortgage due to Liz Truss’ calamitous budget that caused interest rates to go through the roof.”
Locally, Oldham Council has been awarded £3.2 million and Rochdale gets £425,951.
