A large portfolio of former NHS hospital sites has been transferred to English Partnerships (EP) in a landmark deal between the DoH and the ODPM. The £320m transaction will provide 96 sites across England on 1 600 ha of land. EP will have a key role in determining the best future use of the sites in line with government sustainable communities policy. EP believes that it can deliver 14 000 new homes nationally, of which up to half will be affordable. The Hospitals Sites Programme (HSP) is expected to generate up to £1bn private sector investment by 2010 and is likely to make a significant contribution to the First-Time Buyers' Initiative. The HSP is also set to deliver up to 80 000 sq m of employment space and see more than 500 ha of brownfield land reclaimed and brought back into productive use. A brochure about the HSP can be downloaded free of charge from the EP website.