Deputy prime minister John Prescott and health secretary John Reid have today announced a deal to transfer more than 100 surplus NHS sites totalling 1,650ha to the ODPM. The land will be used to provide 15,000 new homes, at least a third of them affordable, as part of the £22 billion Sustainable Communities Plan. "This deal shows our determination to deliver more affordable homes where they are needed most, especially for key workers and young families,” said Prescott. “It will unlock major brownfield sites, secure more than 15,000 new homes, and kick-start regeneration as part of a comprehensive programme to create thriving and sustainable communities across all regions of England.” The deal will also provide a welcome cash injection for the NHS and will contribute to key worker housing for the health sector. The sites originally seemed destined to be sold to Miller Ventures and Bank Of Scotland in a £400 million deal which made them the preferred bidder in autumn 2002, but government policy resulted in a change of plan. Now Miller/BOS will be looking to recoup its investment on advisers and fees which could be up to £10 million.