Devolution deal begins to delivers for West Yorkshire

It was only announced in March, but the West Yorkshire devoltuion deal has already started to deliver for the region as it benefits from an allocation within the Brownfield Land Fund.

The scheme which was part of the £5bn of investment announced in Boris Johnson’s “Rooseveltian” plan to support the country’s economy, allocates £400m to the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, Sheffield City Region, and North of Tyne and Tees Valley to support around 24,000 homes.

Interestingly West Yorkshire is the only location mentioned to not currently have an elected metro mayor.

Cllr Tim Swift, deputy chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and leader of Calderdale Council, commented on the announcement:

“The £67 million we have secured to help deliver thousands of homes on brownfield land shows how the West Yorkshire devolution deal we struck in March is already delivering for our communities.

“Thanks to the devolution deal and our track record of delivery we did not have to bid for this funding. We have been allocated funding on the same basis as areas which already have elected mayors, ensuring we can put this money to work as quickly as possible to unlock development sites.

“Creating well-connected neighbourhoods delivering urgently needed affordable homes is central to our drive to create an economy that works for all our communities.”