According to the government, unused land will be identified, developed and released by a cross-government collaboration, while the approach is set to establish collaborative agreements between the Ministry of Defence, Homes England, Network Rail and other government bodies while also bringing in the private sector.

The first phase of development on defence land is set to include the transfer of a site in Ripon from the MOD to Homes England, allowing construction to start within 12 months, expediting the delivery of 1,300 homes at Deverell Barracks.

Another site is set to be partially released at Chetwynd Barracks, and another at Wyton Airfield in Cambridgeshire in the coming years.

According to Defence secretary, John Healey, the move is set to bring a long-term opportunity to build over 100,000 homes on surplus defence land.

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Part of this initiative also includes plans to modernise homes for 50,000 for armed forces families, with the new defence housing strategy due to be launched later this summer.

Included in the plans is the establishment of a new partnership company between Network Rail property and London & Continental Railways, which will attract both public and private investment for brownfield development sites.

The new partnership aims to become operational later this year, with plans to deliver 40,000 new homes over the next decade, with the chancellor, Rachel Reeves confirming the first four development sites being in Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham.

Commenting on the new initiative, Rachel Reeves said: “For too long, surplus government-owned sites have gone underused, but they are a huge untapped resource that could create opportunities for the next generation of homeowners.

“In contrast to the failed approach of the past, we are making the best use of public land to build the homes that families and our Armed Forces need, improving opportunities for homeownership and creating jobs across the country.”