The government has allocated £3.6 million to support housing on brownfield land in Essex.
The Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) is part of the One Public Estate programme. It helps local councils release surplus land for housing and other uses.
The £3.6 million will create 203 new homes through eight housing schemes across Essex.
We have received £1.4 million from the BLRF. The remaining amount will go towards Basildon, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea councils.
We will use the £1.4 million to redevelop the old Essex County Hospital in Colchester. This will be led by Essex Housing, our in-house developer.
The redevelopment will create 57 homes as part of a wider 120-home development.
Restoring the Grade II listed hospital, and other heritage assets, will help meet local housing needs.