The Government has revealed the 29 zones outside London eligible to become the first flagship housing areas in England.

Each of the areas, including Turrock Thames-Side Towns and Elstree Way Corridor, have bid to become one of ten areas where it will be simpler and swifter to build new dwellings on brownfield land as part of the Getting Britain Building scheme. The programme has seen over half a million new homes built since 2010 including more than 200,000 affordable homes.

The shortlisted 29 areas will have to go through an appraisal process looking at value for money and commitment to delivering high quality homes promptly.

Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, Andy Rose, feels that housing zones are an opportunity to unlock redundant brownfield land with the potential to provide viable housing developments.

“I am pleased to see the projects shortlisted under our programme, which will contribute to much-needed new homes and successful places.”

The Government has been taking steps to make sure that brownfield land is prioritised over green belt land for new housing development, including selling enough publicly-owned brownfield sites to allow 100,000 homes to be built.

As well as this, the Government is trying to make the best possible use of existing properties, through financial incentives to lower the numbers of long-term empty properties and flexible planning rights to bring empty and under-used buildings back into use, all of which has brought the number of long-term vacant properties to a 10 year low.

Chancellor George Osborne said that building houses so that more families can have the security of home ownership was a key part of the government’s long term plan.

“That’s why I’m delighted to announce the areas shortlisted to become the first housing zones in England which, as part of a wider package of measures, will help deliver up to 200,000 new homes on brownfield land,” he said.

“Alongside other important measures like Help to Buy, we are doing everything we can to boost housing supply and to make sure people can get a home of their own.”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis felt that building was a vital part of the longer term economic plan, with new housing construction levels rising.

“Twenty-nine areas across England have now been shortlisted to become one of the first housing zones, to deliver new homes quickly on brownfield land, Minister Lewis said.

“The 10 that are finally chosen will then have the chance to build homes for local communities while continuing to protect the green belt.”

The successful 10 zones are expected to be big enough for between 750 and 2,000 homes and are invited to bid for a share of £200 million for infrastructure and land remediation. Access to cheaper borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board and expert planning and technical support will also be available.

It has also been announced that 37 councils will receive a share of £5 million funding this financial year to help bring large-scale sites forward for development, to allow the local authorities to undertake the project management, planning and technical activities necessary.