Platform4 will be led by ex-Lendlease boss

The government has announced the creation of a new development company called Platform4 to deliver 40,000 new homes over the next decade on surplus railway land. 

The transport secretary today announced the formation of Platform4, a government owned development company that has been in the works since 2023, formed from a merger of London and Continental Railways Limited and Network Rail’s property development team. 

54595490996_47378f06ff_c

Source: Department for Transport / Flickr

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander

Platform4 will be chaired by Bek Seeley, the former Lendlease boss and founder of Place Partners UK.

Previously, London and Continental Railways Ltd and Network Rail’s Property Team operated independently, managing surplus rail land across the UK. The government says this fragmented approach often led to inefficiencies, duplicated efforts and missed opportunities for strategic development.  

The government hopes Platform4 will save an estimated £227m by creating a “unified structure” for the delivery of homes on railway brownfield sites over the coming ten years.

The government says it wants to attract more than £350m in private sector investment into Platform4, with profits generated from the property company set to be reinvested into Britain’s railways.

Earlier this year the Treasury announced plans for a taskforce to unlock unused public land and said Network Rail would form a new property company in partnership with government-owned developer London & Continental Railways. 

Today, announcing the name and details of Platform4, the government said it hoped the state-backed developer will deliver 15,000 homes on surplus rail land over the next five years as part of its commitment to build 1.5m homes by the end of Parliament. 

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Our railways are more than just connections between places – they create economic opportunity and drive regeneration. It’s exciting to picture the thousands of families who will live in these future homes, the vibrant neighbourhoods springing up and the new businesses that will launch thanks to these developments.” 

>>See also: Network Rail to build 40,000 homes in partnership with government-owned developer

Four sites already earmarked for development include Newcastle Forth Goods Yards (opportunity for up to 600 new homes), Manchester Mayfield (opportunity for 1,500 new homes), Cambridge (a mixed-use development with 425 homes) and Nottingham (200 new homes following 348 successfully delivered homes at The Barnum).

Housing secretary Angela Rayner said: “Platform4 will champion putting stations at the heart of communities, unlocking growth, regeneration and opportunities in surrounding and connected areas. The company has been formed from the merger of London and Continental Railways Limited and Network Rail’s property development team.”

Bek Seeley added: “Platform4 will deliver on key government priorities, creating new homes and jobs and stimulating economic growth. Working alongside our partners and local authorities, we will create sustainable places that bring communities and customers together and leave a positive legacy for future generations.”