The Government’s pledge yesterday to deliver up to 40,000 new homes on disused railway land will be a welcome move in tackling the UK’s housing shortage. By focusing on goods yards, former station buildings, and industrial sites, it recognises the development potential of land that is already well-located and often well-connected by public transport. But this announcement is just the beginning, as Russell Mills, Managing Director of SLC Property explains.
Across the country, there are many more parcels of land near railway lines that remain overlooked – sites with potential to support sustainable, accessible housing growth. These plots may fall outside current Local Plan allocations, but they are exactly the types of locations we might be able to help bring forward for development.
Unlocking land near the railway
Across SLC, we specialise in unlocking the potential of rail-adjacent land. Whether it’s a privately owned site with rail legacy constraints or an underused plot sitting outside the formal planning framework, we support landowners through every phase – from strategic promotion and technical assessments to delivery and funding. Our group of companies brings together the combined strengths of rail expertise, land promotion, infrastructure delivery, and planning strategy to make it happen.
Connecting communities
The real value of disused railway land lies in what it can become through place making. By working with public sector partners and adjoining landowners and developers, we help unlock larger, more integrated development areas that can support green spaces, walking and cycling links and wider community infrastructure. This collaborative approach transforms isolated plots into connected and sustainable communities.
Overcoming infrastructure and utility challenges
One of the biggest hurdles in bringing disused land into use is the cost and complexity of utilities. Utilities can significantly affect project viability, timescales and budgets. We help clients navigate this challenge by identifying the most competitive, efficient connection strategies – minimising delays and controlling costs.
Viability and funding
Rail-adjacent and brownfield sites can be complex and expensive to unlock. This is why we believe in working closely with landowners to assess development potential and reduce upfront risks. Drawing on the expertise of SLC Investments and E-Rail, we can also identify alternative funding options to support station improvements or new railway stations that will unlock sustainable housing growth, equitable for all parties and improving viability.
Legal and Historical Constraints
Many sites carry historical baggage – restrictive covenants, legacy access rights, or land title issues that date back to the height of the railway era. We have experience in negotiating the removal or adaptation of such constraints, ensuring these hurdles don’t impact the progress of a development, which is how we managed to help a station get redeveloped around a Roman Fort!
Developing housing on disused railway land or on adjacent railway land is an exciting and necessary step to meet housing targets, but it’s not straightforward. However, with the right guidance, sites can evolve from forgotten corners of infrastructure into vibrant, well-connected communities. If you own land near the railway and want to understand its potential for housing development, get in touch with us.
