Council secures government funding to unlock brownfield land for new homes

West Lancashire Borough Council has secured £500,000 of new government funding to help prepare a site in Digmoor ready for new homes.  

The funding comes from the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 (BLRF2), part of the national One Public Estate programme. 

This investment will support the Council’s commitment to regenerating brownfield sites and enabling the delivery of new homes across West Lancashire. 

The Council has now signed the Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), confirming the release of funding and allowing the project to progress to the next stage. 

The funding will cover the costs of Asbestos removal and demolition of six empty blocks of flats as part of the Digmoor regeneration project, preparing the land for future new homes. 

The project is expected to begin in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. 

Councillor Nicola Pryce-Roberts, Lead Member for Housing, said: “This funding is an important step in unlocking new opportunities for regeneration in Skelmersdale and West Lancashire. 

“Bringing brownfield land back into productive use is a key priority for us and this investment will help deliver new homes and support the long-term vitality of our communities whilst protecting our agricultural land by prioritising brownfield.”