Government launches Platform 4

The UK government today launched Platform4, a new state-owned property development company that aims to deliver up to 40,000 new homes over the next decade using surplus brownfield railway land across England. The initiative is aimed at supporting first-time buyers and renters, with more than 15,000 homes expected within the next five years.

Platform4 is formed by merging the property units of London and Continental Railways Ltd and Network Rail’s property team, to eliminate inefficiencies, duplicate efforts, and accelerate delivery of development.

This streamlined approach is projected to generate an additional £227 million in value beyond previous fragmented operations.

The redevelopment programme is expected to catalyse £1 billion in development projects, transforming disused goods yards and vacant industrial sites into neighbourhoods with homes, green spaces, retail, and hotels in cities including Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, and Cambridge

Initial phases are already underway at four key sites, expected to yield approximately 2,700 homes collectively:

Manchester Mayfield: 1,500 homes

Newcastle Forth Goods Yard: 600 homes

Cambridge: ~425 homes

Nottingham: ~200 homes, following an earlier 348-home development at The Barnum

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said platforming rail land unlocks “economic opportunity” through regeneration: “Our railways are more than just connections between places … Platform4 will breathe new life into these spaces, delivering tens of thousands of new homes … while reviving communities around rail stations, supporting jobs and driving economic growth.” 

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner echoed the urgency to tackle the housing crisis: “We are facing a housing crisis which has led to a generation being locked out of homeownership, all while land sits empty and disused across the country … that’s why today we’re setting out how we’ll get more homes built across surplus railway network sites.” 

Platform4 aims to leverage partnerships with other public-sector landowners and attract more than £350 million in private investment, reinvesting profits from developments back into Britain’s railways to enhance services and infrastructure.

Bek Seeley, newly appointed chair of Platform4 and veteran of regeneration projects, stated: “Platform4 will deliver on key government priorities, creating new homes and jobs and stimulating economic growth. … We will create sustainable places that bring communities together and leave a positive legacy for future generations.” 

Industry groups welcomed the announcement. The Home Builders Federation noted that unlocking more public land is essential to addressing the housing shortage and boosting infrastructure and jobs. Similarly, the British Property Federation hailed the move as a positive step toward stimulating local growth and efficient housing delivery.

Platform4 is part of the government’s broader "Plan for Change", which targets building 1.5 million new homes by 2029 through planning reforms and investment in affordable housing (£39 billion projected through the decade).

Platform4’s unified structure is expected to cut red tape, speed up development, and attract investment efficiently. If successful, the agency could form the backbone of future transport-sector property initiatives, while profits support Rail infrastructure and maintenance. Watch for updates on site planning approvals, upcoming phases, and rollout timelines over the coming months as delivery begins.

Platform4 combines the property development units of Network Rail and London and Continental Railways Ltd. It is wholly government-owned and chaired by Bek Seeley, a regeneration specialist formerly with Lendlease Europe. Profits from new projects will be redirected to Britain’s rail network to finance upgrades and expansions.