HCA publishes strategy

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has published its first development and land disposal strategy. The strategy is part of a wider government drive announced by housing minister Grant Shapps which will bring forward more surplus public sector land for the creation of new homes, employment opportunities and community facilities.

The HCA strategy sets out the agency’s approach to accelerating its land disposal in recognition of the belief that land is key to promoting economic growth, housing delivery and community activity. The document summarises the HCA’s landholdings, explains the principles for making disposal decisions and sets out an indicative pipeline of sites that have been identified for disposal over the next two years.

The HCA’s key aims will be: transparency about its sites and disposal principles; not to hold onto land longer than necessary; ensure land is sold to support local plans and ambitions; and that land is transferred to end users as quickly as possible. It also aims to carry out disposals on terms such as a deferred payment model, Build Now, Pay Later.