Mar 28 2006
In a deal worth almost £100m, English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency, has completed one of its biggest single acquisitions with the purchase of the disused Oakington Barracks in south Cambridgeshire from Defence Estates. The purchase of the 288 ha site is set to unlock the development of the proposed new town of Northstowe, creating up to 10,000 new homes.
Northstowe, which is five miles from the centre of Cambridge, will be developed on the former airfield and adjacent land near Longstanton and Oakington. The new town will contribute to the region’s growth agenda and ease pressure on the Cambridge housing market that currently suffers from a shortage of new and affordable homes.
The land sale is another example of the strong working relationship between the two agencies in devising strategies to make best use of surplus public sector land in line with government aspirations.
Margaret Ford, Chairman of English Partnerships said, “This is another significant example of government agencies working together to bring forward surplus land effectively and for the benefit of local communities. The land at Oakington will make a significant contribution to Northstowe where a new and sustainable community offering homes, amenities, jobs and open space is planned in an area of housing need.”
Defence Estates Chief Executive, Vice Admiral Peter Dunt, added, “Government is committed to using more brownfield land to create sustainable communities with affordable housing. The sale of Oakington is yet another example of the strong working relationship between two government agencies in devising strategies to make best use of surplus public sector land. This sale reflects the joint Framework Agreement signed by Defence Estates and English Partnerships.”
Since 2003 English Partnerships has acquired more than 2,000 ha of surplus public sector land, which is expected to provide around 20,000 homes nationally over the next 10 years as part of a comprehensive regeneration programme. The biggest single contribution to this portfolio was the completion of a deal to transfer 96 former hospital sites to the agency in April 2005.
As well as these significant acquisitions, English Partnerships has introduced a range of other initiatives aimed at ensuring public sector land is used more effectively. These include The Register of Surplus Public Sector Land - a comprehensive database currently listing more than 700 sites, owned by 40 public sector agencies, totalling almost 5,000 ha of land - as well as framework and collaborative working agreements with other government bodies.
DTZ Debenham Tie Leung acted for English Partnerships in the acquisition of Oakington