Whitehall departments are set to smash the Prime Minister's ambition to release previously-used public land for building the homes this country needs, Housing Minister Grant Shapps has said.

New figures show that Ministers have identified enough surplus public land, such as empty offices, unused storage or empty public service buildings, to build up to 102,000 homes.

This means the Government is already well on track to exceed the Prime Minister's ambition to release enough surplus land for 100,000 homes by 2015 - with more to follow.

Organisations across the public services, including the NHS, Ministry of Defence and Department for Transport, will now play a critical role in helping to build the new homes that communities want and that the country needs.

With the public sector owning an estimated 40 per cent of larger sites suitable for development, Grant Shapps is determined that Whitehall can go further.

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He has pledged that Government departments will continue to identify and make available as many brownfield and previously used sites as possible for more much-needed homes, and work closely with the Homes and Communities Agency to make land ready for sale as soon as possible while still ensuring best value for money for the taxpayer.

To help developers make the most of the sites on offer, Mr Shapps will also look to extend the use of the innovative "Build Now, Pay Later" deal to as many previously-used sites as possible - allowing them to start work on thousands of new homes without the initial expense of buying the land.

Ministers are also committed to making information about surplus public land freely available, so that local people can see what opportunities exist to advance projects and meet local needs - be it for free schools, businesses or new homes.

Mr Shapps said: "Government is one of the country's biggest landowners - it's only right that we make the best use of our assets, and I can't think of a better use than building the homes this country needs.

"We're already on track to smash the Prime Minister's ambition to release previously-used public land for housing: enough land has already been identified to support more than 102,000 homes. But we're not stopping there - I'm determined to continue looking for more sites suitable for housebuilding.

"And as this work continues we'll support developers getting on site quickly, through the innovative Build Now, Pay Later deal. This gives builders access to land they only pay for after the homes are built, laying the foundations for new homes and neighbourhoods right across the country."

(CD)