The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced plans to sell off land which will create space for thousands of new homes to be built.

A total of 13 sites amounting to over 1,200 hectares of surplus public sector land will be released across the UK, providing land for up up 17,000 new homes.

The move marks the third tranche of sites released by the MOD, which so far has freed up enough brownfield and surplus public sector land for up to 39,000 new homes.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "We are getting rid of land that we don't need to build homes that we do, generating hundreds of millions of pounds in the process. Our commitment to protect and increase the budget for our armed forces means that every penny of that will be reinvested into defence, helping to keep Britain safe."

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So far, the MOD has freed up enough brownfield and surplus public sector land for up to 39,000 new homes, expected to generate around £930 million.

The move comes as Network Rail revealed plans to unlock land for 12,000 new homes by 2020.

The company has identified almost 200 sites across the country as development opportunities. It is predicted around 5,000 homes will be built in London, 3,600 homes in Manchester and the North, 1,700 homes in the Midlands and the East of England and 1,400 homes in the South of England.

David Biggs, Managing Director of Network Rail Property, said: "Unlocking railway land for redevelopment investing in stations and infrastructure, can and does transform large swathes of our towns and cities and boost local and regional economies.

"As we now ramp up our land release programme to deliver thousands more homes, we will be working closely with the Homes and Communities Agency, London Land Commission, local authorities and developers to bring identified sites forward to help meet the country's housing needs."

(LM/CD)