The government has announced that there will be a new regeneration programme aimed at helping disadvantaged communities develop more homes, jobs and beautiful areas.
Initially, 20 areas will be provided with support from the government in order to deliver change through regeneration, with Wolverhampton and Sheffield being the first of the 20 places allocated.
The 20 chosen areas will be able to access a new £1.5 billion Brownfield Fund. It is hoped that the regeneration programme will help Homes England to support the Levelling Up agenda. Using powers given to it, Homes England will help local leaders deliver the regeneration of large areas as they begin to adapt to economic trends, such as the rise of online shopping. It will also partner with local leaders, the private sector and community groups to help deliver housing, health and education and leisure facilities, roads and railways.
Speaking about the programme, Secretary of State Michael Gove said, "We are on a mission to regenerate the nation, transforming derelict areas in our towns and cities into thriving places people are proud to live and work in. We are refocusing Homes England and empowering local leaders to support levelling up, delivering Kings Cross style transformational regeneration projects across the country – starting in Wolverhampton and Sheffield. This huge investment in infrastructure and regeneration will spread opportunity more evenly and help to reverse the geographical inequalities which still exist in the UK."
Furthermore, £120m will be given to seven Mayoral Combined Authorities - namely West Midlands, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Liverpool, South Yorkshire, North of Tyne and Tees Valley - to transform derelict brownfield sites. 13 Councils will also receive a share of £8m from the Brownfield Land Release Fund in order to release more land for over 890 new homes.
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