Bidding for One Public Estate (OPE) phase 8 closed on 12 November 2020. The current phase, which was launched in September 2020, included a new £10 million funding round for new and existing partnerships to bring forward collaborative public sector property projects.
The £10 million funding is offered alongside an additional £20 million of Land Release Fund from Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), which is delivered through One Public Estate. The Land Release Fund will provide capital funding to release surplus council-owned property for housing development.
The new funding was announced by Cabinet Office Minister Lord Agnew at the CiH Housing 2020 Virtual Festival in partnership with MHCLG and LGA. Further details can be seen in the press release.
Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:
“Councils continue to lead their communities through the coronavirus crisis, working closely with other local partners including health and emergency services.
“One Public Estate will play a crucial role as we move into the next phase and help with the local and national economic recovery. This additional funding will support councils to make better use of their assets, including their spare land and property, to help join up local services.
“This in turn will create new savings and efficiencies, as we look towards the future of local public services after the pandemic.”
Award annonucements will be made in February 2021.