The government is consolidating Network Rail’s property division with London and Continental Railways (LCR) to form a new entity, Platform4, aimed at utilising underused railway land for housing. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced that this initiative targets the delivery of 40,000 new homes over the next decade, with an initial goal of 15,000 homes within five years.
Platform4 will focus on redeveloping sites such as goods yards, industrial areas, and stations. This strategic merger seeks to eliminate inefficiencies and capitalise on development opportunities, potentially generating an additional £227 million while contributing to the government’s broader objective of building 1.5 million new homes. Successful past collaborations between Network Rail and LCR, including projects at King’s Cross and Stratford International, highlight the potential of this unified approach.
Several projects are already in the pipeline, including the Mayfield Depot in Manchester, Forth Yards in Newcastle, and brownfield developments in Cambridge and Nottingham, set to deliver an initial 2,700 homes. Chaired by former Lendlease director Bek Seeley, Platform4 will reinvest all income back into the railways. This initiative mirrors similar efforts in London, where Transport for London aims to build 20,000 homes by 2031, with half designated as affordable housing.
