New government house building scheme revealed

August 6, 2025 by Heidi

House building

News

Details of a new government scheme for house building have now been revealed, and they involve the purchase of old railway land for use in construction.

The Department of Transport has set up a new public property firm that is called Platform4. This firm will be in charge of identifying and selling railway land that is no longer needed for that purpose to private property developers. They will then use it to construct homes for purchase or for rent. The Government is hoping that the scheme will help people to get on the property ladder for the first time.

In the initial stages of the scheme, it will target land in the big UK cities. Cambridge, Nottingham, Newcastle and Manchester are among the cities where land will be sought. The plan is to build 15,000 homes during the first five years of the scheme, with 40,000 being constructed between now and 2029.

Platform4 has been put together from the property team at Network Rail and London and Continental Railways. The chair of the company is set to be Bek Seeley, who will have the job of securing private sector investment to the tune of over £350 million. She has years of experience within the property sector.

According to Mortgage Strategy, Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said that:

“Working alongside our partners and local authorities, we will create sustainable places that bring communities and customers together and leave a positive legacy for future generations.”

Mortgage advisors with CeMAP training will want this scheme to succeed, as more homes are urgently needed.