Government Launches Platform4 to Deliver 40,000 Homes on Railway Land

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The UK Government has announced the formation of a new public development company, Platform4, tasked with delivering 40,000 new homes over the next decade, focusing on underused railway land near stations.

Platform4 brings together Network Rail’s property division and London & Continental Railways (LCR), consolidating efforts to regenerate brownfield land around transport hubs. The move follows criticism of a previously fragmented approach that led to inefficiencies and missed opportunities in unlocking surplus rail land for housing.

Regeneration specialist Bek Seeley—former UK MD at Lendlease and founder of Place Partners UK—has been appointed chair. She also leads the Euston Housing Delivery Group, working on a major regeneration scheme at the future HS2 terminus.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said Platform4 will accelerate development by disposing of surplus land, forming partnerships with other public landowners, and attracting more than £350 million in private investment. Crucially, profits will be reinvested into the railway network.

The first four Platform4 schemes include:

• Newcastle Forth Goods Yard – Up to 600 homes

• Manchester Mayfield – 1,500 homes, aligned with the wider £1.4bn Mayfield Park development

• Cambridge – Mixed-use scheme with 425 homes

• Nottingham – 200 homes following 348 already delivered at The Barnum

  
  

The launch comes as Manchester City Council prepares to approve the first 879 homes at Mayfield Park, a key site in the initiative.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner framed the initiative as part of the government’s “Plan for Change,” aimed at unlocking brownfield sites to deliver 1.5 million homes and tackle the housing crisis.

The move has received cross-sector backing. The Home Builders Federation called it a welcome step to unlock land supply, while the British Property Federation praised the release of under-utilised public assets to support community regeneration.