Plan to redevelop brownfield zones
DERELICT land and buildings across Halton could face a better chance of being redeveloped if Steve Rotheram has his way.
Steve Rotheram has called on the Government and any of its successors to provide £200m to clean up brownfield land and bring them back into use for homes.
He made the announcement as he set out his vision for housing.
A spokesman for the city region combined authority said that any land that has been previously developed is classed as brownfield and that the region is home to many derelict former industrial sites that need to be cleaned up.
He said 700 brownfield sites have been identified across the six city region districts totalling 1,813 acres of land with room for 42,000 homes, if remediated.
Mr Rotheram’s plan, which is set out in a city region housing statement published this month, includes: ambitions for an ‘inclusive economy’, moves to tackle fuel poverty, a bid to improve the long-term sustainability, public service ‘transformation’ and a better system for meeting vulnerable residents’ housing needs, a blueprint for the city region to become a world leader in modern construction methods, and homelessness prevention.
It also aims to produce more homes, boost choice, quality and design, an increased supply of construction skills, support for ageing populations, neighbourhood regeneration, and better quality renting.
Halton’s brownfield register is available to view on Halton Borough Council’s website.
It was last published in February and includes vacant sites such as East Lane House and the former Polar Ford car yard on Victoria Road in Runcorn, but also some plots that are already being redeveloped such as the former college site in Runcorn Old Town.
Mr Rotheram said: “Everybody should have the right to a safe and comfortable place to call home, but a national housing crisis means this is out of reach for too many people in our city region.
“We desperately need to build more homes and this new housing statement sets out a clear plan of action.
“A key focus is on speeding up the delivery of new houses, through a brownfield first approach to preserve our green spaces as best we can.
“Across the region we’ve identified enough Brownfield land to build 42,000 homes but, to get these much-needed houses built, we need to get the sites ready to build.
“This is expensive because of our industrial legacy and that’s why I’m calling on the Government to provide the £200m we need to make them housebuilding ready – so we can get on with the job.”
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