Enough unused public sector land has been released to build over 103,000 new homes, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced today.

The amount of land sold by the government surpasses the original commitment set by the Prime Minister, and is expected to rise again by the end of March this year.

Now, the government is calling on councils and developers to help turn it into housing as soon as possible, and is urging local authorities up and down the country to follow this example and sell their redundant sites and buildings.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “House building is at the heart of the government’s long-term economic plan. That’s why, rather than leaving surplus public sector land idle, we are putting it to good use by releasing it to build new homes across the country.

“This is part of wider efforts that have got Britain building again, leading to the delivery of 700,000 new homes since the end of 2009.

“I now want to see councils following Whitehall’s example and explore what they can do to release land and deliver new homes and savings for local taxpayers.”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “Housing starts are at their highest annual total since 2007, but it’s clear we need to maintain this momentum and build the homes communities want and need.

“That’s why for the last 4 years we’ve pulled out all the stops to release formerly-used surplus public sector land for house building – meaning we have now exceeded our own target.”

Getting the country building again

The amount of land sold by the government surpasses the original commitment set by the Prime Minister in June 2011, and is expected to rise again by the end of March this year. On top of this, there are plans to release land with capacity for 150,000 homes between 2015 and 2020.

The government has already taken major steps to boost house building and get more people into a home of their own – simplifying the planning system, making it easier to convert empty buildings into new homes and prioritising development on brownfield land.

Ministers have announced measures to boost British manufacturing with a £22 million grant to accelerate new house building technology and support growth in the supply chains.

The grant, part of a £104 million project led by construction and engineering firm Laing O’Rourke, will promote new pre-assembly techniques in house building.

Producing homes off-site will help increase productivity and reduce costs. The project will also deliver training in the latest digital engineering and installation skills.

Visiting a Laing O’Rourke construction site in London’s Elephant and Castle, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “To meet urgent demand for new affordable homes, the construction industry must embrace new technologies and techniques – and our support will help them do this more quickly.

“This reflects the long-term commitment of our industrial strategy to modernising British manufacturing.

“Working in partnership with industry, targeted investment from government is helping firms exploit new technologies, raise skills levels and improve productivity.”

Business Minister Matthew Hancock said: “Backing Britain’s manufacturers has been front and centre of our long-term economic plan.

“We know that our manufacturers can only really thrive when their UK suppliers are in the best shape and retain market share in long-established sectors, like automotive and aerospace, as well as strengthening supply chains in emerging sectors like nuclear, shale gas and advanced materials.”

The Westgate Oxford Alliance has announced the appointment of Laing O’Rourke as the principal contractor for Westgate Oxford, with work due to start this spring.

Up to 1,000 construction workers will work on the highly anticipated development which, when complete, will create around 3,400 jobs in and around Oxford.

The £440 million development in the heart of Oxford city centre will transform the existing Westgate shopping centre into an 800,000 sq. ft. retail and leisure destination, due for completion in autumn 2017.

Laing O’Rourke’s 30 month contract is focused on the construction of the shell and core of the three-storey retail centre, together with a 1,000 space underground car park and 61 new residential properties.

Preparatory works at Westgate began in February following approval by Oxford City Council and leasing commitments from leading national and international retailers.

The new Westgate Oxford will include over 100 new stores, 25 restaurants and cafes, a boutique cinema, roof top terrace dining and a wealth of new public spaces.

Steve Coleby, Leader for Laing O’Rourke UK construction business, said: “It is a privilege to work on a scheme of this magnitude that is set to deliver such an exceptional shopping and entertainment destination. As the latest major retail development in the UK, Westgate Oxford is an encouragingly strong indicator of economic recovery and returned consumer confidence in the UK.”

Bert Martin, Development Director for the Westgate Oxford Alliance, said: “We are delighted to welcome Laing O’Rourke as construction partner for such a significant development.

“Laing O’Rourke’s reputation and expertise, combined with high levels of interest from retailers and leisure operators, contributes to our confidence in Westgate Oxford and the positive impact it will have on this unique city.”

The Thames Tideway Tunnel project has selected its preferred construction to drive three major tunnel sections of the London Super Sewer that will create thousands of jobs.

The project, which will be the biggest infrastructure project ever under taken by the UK water industry, will make London’s sewerage network fit for the 22nd century and will help prevent the millions of tonnes of sewage pollution that currently discharge into the tidal River Thames every year.

Andy Mitchell, Chief Executive at Thames Tideway Tunnel, said: “We have selected our preferred bidders to work on the three main works packages because we have absolute faith in their ability to carry out these major pieces of work safely, considerately and sustainably and we are looking forward to working with them to offer the thousands of jobs that will help make this project a reality.”

The Thames Tideway Tunnel project will create more than 4,000 direct sustainable jobs, and another 5,000 jobs indirectly.

It will be offering hundreds of apprenticeships and work placements, is committed to employing local people, and will be creating a never-before seen surge in the river economy through marine employment opportunities.

The contractors which have been chosen as the preferred main works tenderers are: BMB JV (Joint Venture of BAM Nuttall Ltd, Morgan Sindall Plc and Balfour Beatty Group Limited) for the West contract, FLO JV (Joint Venture of Ferrovial Agroman UK Ltd, Laing O’Rourke Construction) for the Central contract and CVB JV (Joint Venture of Costain Vinci Construction Grands Projects Bachy Soletanche) for the East contract.

Balfour Beatty has signed a deal with the London Legacy Development Corporation to invest and build the new East Wick and Sweetwater housing development project.

Balfour Beatty’s UK construction business will deliver all construction, which is expected to generate approximately £400 million of revenue and create thousands of new jobs.

The transformational project at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London is being delivered in a 50:50 joint venture with Places for People (PfP). It will create two new neighbourhoods with up to 1,500 homes including 450 affordable homes, 530 homes for private sale and 500 private rented sector homes.

The development will be constructed in phases over eight years with Balfour Beatty’s UK construction business delivering all of the construction. Around 50 apprenticeships will be created along with 350 construction jobs at the peak of construction.

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive said: “This project marks our entry as an investor and developer into the UK’s regeneration and housing sector. This market is growing and offers significant opportunities for the Group in the coming years.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “This is the most successful and fastest growing city anywhere in Europe, and it is absolutely vital we provide thousands of new houses to allow people to live close to their places of work.

“I am thrilled to confirm we have now appointed high quality developers to help bring forward plans for these important new neighbourhoods on our iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a whopping six years ahead of target.”