Homes to be built on unused NHS land
Unused development land owned by the NHS will be used to build 15,000 low-cost homes for nurses, police, teachers and other public sector workers who are finding it difficult to buy property.
More than 100 sites worth about £400 million will be handed over to John Prescott's department as part of the Government's drive to address the housing shortage facing so-called key workers.
Most of the land is in the South-East where soaring property prices have made it difficult for health, education and emergency service staff to find homes close to work.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will oversee the sale of sites to housing associations or property developers on condition they be used to build affordable flats or houses for public sector workers.
Money raised will go to the NHS, John Reid, the Health Secretary, said. "Staff are the public sector's greatest asset and it is vital that we provide them with the opportunity to live and work where they choose and where the need to recruit is the greatest."
A spokesman for Mr Prescott said the policy was part of the Government's commitment to make use of surplus land. The building programme would address the housing shortage and help urban regeneration.
"The sites, equal to the size of (London borough) Hammersmith and Fulham with a total area of 1,650 hectares, are expected to provide more than 15,000 new homes, with at least 5,000 of them affordable, to maintain and create sustainable communities."
Mr Prescott said: "We are committed to protecting the countryside from the blight of urban sprawl, through reviving brownfield land for development. That's why we are making sure the best possible use is made of surplus public sector land."
Listed building on the sites could be redeveloped as flats. Others will be pulled down to make way for new houses. Sites include the old Coldest Hospital in Fareham, the maternity hospital in Hull, and Hartlepool General Hospital.
Tim Yeo, shadow health secretary, welcomed the initiative but expressed fears that the money raised for the NHS would be wasted.
"Despite record levels of money being poured into the NHS by Labour, we are continuing to hear reports that it isn't getting to the front line."
Source: The Telegraph, 08.04.2004
