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'Dispose of land for housing' minister tells health bosses
A health minister has written to all NHS trusts to encourage them to look at making surplus land available for development of housing.
Dan Poulter, parliamentary under-secretary of state for health, sent the letter to all NHS Trust and NHS Foundation Trust chief executives last week.
The letter, dated 13 November and made public yesterday, describes disposing of unused land and property as a ‘win-win, providing funding for reinvestment and efficiency savings that can be used to deliver better services to patients as well as supporting wider government objectives on housing and growth.’
Dr Poulter said: ‘I would encourage you to think carefully about whether you have, or are likely to have, sites which are surplus that may be used for alternative purposes and approach local planning authorities at the earliest opportunity.’ This follows a letter from Dr Poulter in the summer reminding health bosses of the benefits of disposing of unused land.
The latest letter also encourages health trusts to engage with councils in drafting local plans.
The government in 2011 announced a target of releasing enough public land for 100,000 new homes by 2015.
