The North East Combined Authority and Homes England have signed a strategic place partnership that will support the region to turn brownfield sites into new housing developments.

Homes England has said that the agreement will deepen existing local-national partnership working between the North East Combined Authority (NECA), local authorities in the North-east and the agency.

The housing and regeneration body is already providing funding and expertise for projects including Forth Yards in Newcastle and West Park in Sunderland.