The Homes and Communities Agency has been inundated with more 170 applications for its £420m Get Britain Building programme to kick-start stalled housing jobs.
As a result the agency has fast-tracked 18 schemes to unlock £46m to start construction of 1,300 new homes.
The remainder of the bids will now be assessed with a shortlist of schemes to be taken forward released in mid-March.
Launched less than two months ago, this multi million pound cash injection is expected to unlock up to 16,000 homes on sites that are currently stalled, and help create up to 30,000 jobs in construction and related industries.
Pat Ritchie, chief executive of the HCA said: “Our partners have once again demonstrated their appetite to get Britain building by developing much needed new homes, in turn generating additional benefits through economic growth and activity.
“We have had a strong response to our programme and will now work to establish a shortlist of schemes which fit strongly with locally identified priorities and represent good value for money for the taxpayer.
“I am particularly pleased that teams at the HCA have moved quickly to identify 18 schemes of particular local importance that we can get moving immediately.”
Get Britain Building is intended to address difficulties in accessing development finance faced by some house builders and to help bring forward sites with planning permission, but where viability is marginal, by sharing risk.
It will operate by making loans available to projects on commercial rates, or taking equity stakes to share risk.
Full list of 18 fast-tracked schemes
Locking Parklands Phase 2a/b, Weston super Mare (St Modwen) 140 homes
Second phase of multi phase scheme, totalling around 1,800 units. The overall scheme will include one of the largest leisure development schemes in the UK – the £50m LeisureDome development – which was given planning permission last year.
Bath Western Riverside, Bath (Crest Nicholson) 81 homes
Second phase of multi phase scheme, totalling some 2,000 units, including retail/commercial and recreational public provision. Bath Western Riverside is a key component in delivering the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s ambitions to enhance opportunities for economic growth and diversity.
Belmont Hospital, Tiverton, Devon (Devonshire Homes) 30 homes
Development of a former hospital site including the refurbishment of a group of listed buildings. It is the top named site for Mid Devon District in a market town where sales values have reduced from a high of around £200 per sq ft in 2007 to around £170 per sq ft today.
Osprey Quay, Portland, Dorset (Sutton group) 39 homes
Redevelopment of a former naval base on the Dorset coast. The HCA owns the site which was transferred from the South West RDA. GBB investment would restart this scheme and assist in delivering a post Olympic legacy at the site which is hosting the Olympic sailing events.
Devonport Vision, Plymouth (Redrow) 74 homes
The Vision scheme at Devonport will eventually consist of around 460 new homes and apartments, alongside shops and community facilities, which will revitalise the former MoD-owned site. GBB funding will deliver new homes plus 1300 sq m of commercial space and 150 sq m of retail space.
Wapping Wharf, Bristol (Wapping Wharf (Umberlslade) 175 homes
The last significant site of Bristol Harbourside, the scheme consists of 185 apartments and retail and leisure space targeted at local private businesses. There are also significant related public realm benefits including a new public square.
Newark Southern Extension, Newark (Catesby Property Group) 100 homes
Eventually the scheme will provide 3,000 new homes, 38ha’s of employment land plus new schools and local commercial facilities. The proposal for Phase 1 of the scheme will require advance infrastructure works to open up the housing land.
Edgbaston, Birmingham (MCD developments) 57 homes
A housing scheme adjacent to the wider economic development bringing forward offices and commercial development around the Edgbaston Cricket club.
Kilby Mews, Coventry (Complex Development Projects) 31 homes
A mix of 20 townhouses and 11 apartments that forms part of the creative quarter initiative in Coventry.
Millway Middle School, Duston, Northampton (Westleigh) 52 homes
Development of a former primary school site comprising 52 dwellings, including 12 affordable homes (2 and 3 bed houses) and 40 homes for sale comprising semi detached 2 and 3 bedroom houses and 3 and 4 bed detached houses.
The Maltings, Lichfield (Marcity) 41 homes
Proposals are to provide two dozen 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments within the existing building. An additional sixteen 2 and 3 bedroom homes have been agreed under a signed S106, which will include 17% affordable housing.
Cheeseman’s Green, Ashford (Crest Nicholson) 100 homes
A residential development providing for growth of Ashford. The scheme will provide a significant number of homes to contribute towards Ashford’s growth ambition and is a priority for Ashford BC
Bootham Green, York (Advent Developments) 37 homes
The Bootham Green project delivers a combination of 37 homes and a community unit for use by local residents and includes the sympathetic conversion of a grade II listed former school and nursery, together with new build homes. Once complete the project will include a mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bed houses and apartments.
Navigation point, Castleford (Merlion Capital Housing) 66 homes
The site has outline planning for 1300 homes, with a reserved matters for the first 279 units. GBB Funding will support the delivery of Phase 1, including 66 new homes, which combines a mixture of First Time Buyer and Family properties. The scheme brings back into productive use more than 40 acres of brownfield land.
H2010 (Yarn Street), Leeds (Miller Homes) 82 homes
An important Waterfront regeneration area in Leeds, Yarn Street sits within an area that is on the verge of regeneration. The site flanks the River Aire, and this phase of the project promises to improve water recreation opportunities. Once complete this phase of development will include a mixture of 2, 3 and 4 bed houses and apartments.
Calder View, Dewsbury, Kirklees (Miller Homes) 28 homes
The site is one of four Urban Eco Settlements in the Leeds City Region. The area has been identified as an area of growth where there is a pressing need for larger family accommodation. The funding of this phase will complete the whole development. Once complete this final phase of development will include a mixture of 4 and 5 bed houses.
Grahame Park, Colindale, London (Genesis (GenInvest) 127 homes
A strategic regeneration project in Collindale, London Borough of Barnet. Overall 3,400 homes together with improved open space and community facilities will be provided.
Covent Garden Village, Stockport (Seddon Group) 41 homes
A mixed-use neighbourhood in a historic quarter of Stockport town centre. The initial phase winning GBB funding has been allocated relates to a brownfield site known as Hopes Carr, near to the station.
