01743 298100
info@geosmartinfo.co.uk
GeoSmart Information
  • Home
  • Reports
    • Contaminated Land Reports
    • Flood Risk Assessments
    • Sustainable Drainage Reports
    • NEW Detailed Drainage Design
  • Data
    • Groundwater Flood Risk Map
    • SuDS Infiltration Map
    • BGS Geology Datasets
    • User Guides
  • Services
    • GWFlood
    • GWSewerFlood
    • Flood Risk Portfolio
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Contaminated Land
    • Flood Risk Assessment
    • Sustainable Drainage Systems
    • Groundwater Flood Risk
    • CPD
    • Videos
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Library
    • Case Studies
    • Latest GeoSmart e-Newsletters
  • About
    • Our Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our Partnerships
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Our Responsibility
    • A Sustainable Future
    • FAQs
  • Contact

1 million plus homes can be delivered on brownfield land

Posted on November 15th 2016 in Blog, Contaminated land, Property

New research published by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), incorporating data from the brownfield register, has claimed that sites across England can provide at least 1.1 million new homes.

CPRE studied the findings of 53 councils that have published their data on suitable sites, and found that these areas alone could provide 273,000 homes.

Comparing this new data with the last available data from 2010-2012, CPRE noted an 11 per cent increase in the number of homes that could be provided on suitable sites, with planning permissions for such sites increasing by 21 per cent and the number of suitable sites being identified by 50 per cent.

Applying the same 11 per cent increase to the 2010-2012 figures for the whole country gave a new estimated minimum capacity of 1.1 million homes on suitable brownfield sites, CPRE insisted.

It also noted that the study of the 53 pilot registers produced a figure of 273,000 that was both higher than previous government estimates of countrywide brownfield housing capacity, and almost enough for the participating councils to meet their five-year housing targets without releasing any countryside for development.

The Government created the brownfield registers pilot last year in order to secure a consistent set of data on brownfield sites suitable for development. The registers enable the Government to monitor its commitment that 90% of all brownfield sites have planning permission by 2020, and deliver 200,000 new homes on those sites.

CPRE’s research suggests that this ambition for new homes should be much higher. In November 2014, they published their From wasted space to living spaces report, which found that at least 1 million homes could be provided on suitable brownfield land in England.

The Department for Communities and Local Government described this estimate as ‘wildly over optimistic’ in its Housing & Planning Bill Impact Assessment of October 2015 (page 70). The document claimed that ‘only a fraction will be suitable for housing’, which appeared to disregard the fact that the estimate was based only on sites councils considered ‘suitable for housing’.

The new number of at least 1.1 million is based on data that the Government has itself commissioned.

CPRE is calling for national policies that ensure brownfield development is prioritised over greenfield development and support the provision of new homes on suitable brownfield sites. These include brownfield registers across the country, and an instruction for councils to refuse permission for greenfield sites where they would compete with the development of nearby brownfield land.

Recent CPRE research also showed that on average brownfield sites are developed half a year faster than greenfield while previous research demonstrated that brownfield is a renewable resource

The Government has also incentivised brownfield land through the rollout of the Starter Home Land Fund encouraging Local Authorities to promote suitable sites. There may be differing views on brownfield’s potential to supply, but the appetite is there.

Developers, land agents and architects examining brownfield sites must undertake serious assessment of land quality to understand its viability – and to meet this appetite.

Our EnviroSmart Reports provide Phase 1 site overview, walkover and geology assessments based on your needs and those of the Local Authority planning conditions.

For more information, contact us on 01743 298 100 or email info@geosmartinfo.co.uk.

Posted by DavidKempster
Share this Post
« Previous Post
Next Post »

Latest Articles

  • Increased Groundwater Flood Risk in England
  • CPD webinar: Environmental Information for Masterplanning – 7th April 2021
  • CPD webinar: Understanding SuDS – 24th March 2021
  • CPD webinar: Flood Risk Assessments: A Guide for Architects and Planners – 3rd March 2021
  • CPD webinar: Environmental Information for Masterplanning – 3rd February 2021

EnviroSmart Reports

View Contaminated Land Reports

FloodSmart Reports

View Flood Risk Assessments

SuDSmart Reports

View Sustainable Drainage Reports

See what our customers have to say...

"During the conveyancing process for my current house purchase, I was extremely concerned to find the general search results revealed the house was at 'moderate risk of groundwater flooding'. I was unable to get any further information from anyone until I contacted GeoSmart. The staff I spoke to were friendly, helpful, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. The information provided was very site specific and focused. The staff member who talked me through the information and maps provided was very knowledgeable, answered all my questions and allowed me plenty of time to discuss issues. Thanks to GeoSmart for their great service."
Linda Barton
"We were impressed by the speedy, well-informed service and personal contact that we received. The report was thorough and comprehensive. We will certainly use GeoSmart's services in the future"
Gregory Gray
Gregory Gray Associates
"I would like to say that dealing with GeoSmart was a seamless experience from beginning to end - thank you for that"
Martin Lloyd
Martin Lloyd Associates
"Everyone involved from initial approach to receipt of report was knowledgeable, efficient and focused"
Robert McCall
OeMO Ltd
"Great service! Extremely fast and the report was very detailed and well received by the planners. Many thanks GeoSmart, we will definitely use your services again"
Nigel Slack
Michael Eyres Partnership LLP
"The service was great, fast and efficient. Everyone we talked to was very helpful and the details were well received by the planners"
Ben Thorns
Solid Digital Marketing Ltd
"The service for a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Study was excellent, fast and efficient! GeoSmart were willing to assist despite the extremely tight timescale to work with. We will definitely consider using your services again"
Craig Roberts
Hunter Page
"Efficient and friendly service, GeoSmart provided a clear and concise report within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
Geraint Harris
Vitec Consult
"We are very pleased with the service provided by GeoSmart. Their reports have been used to assist with numerous planning applications and have always been delivered to budget and on-time, much to our clients’ appreciation. We look forward to working with GeoSmart on future projects"
Alan Gunne-Jones
Planning & Development Associates
"The service provided was efficient and friendly. From the first phone call to GeoSmart they provided a clear, professional approach to my request within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
John Childs
Private Developer
Find out more about how we can support you today!
Get in touch
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2021 GeoSmart Information Ltd.

Suite 9-11, 1st Floor,
Old Bank Buildings,
Bellstone, Shrewsbury,
SY1 1HU

Company No. 5475394

Contact Us
Call 01743 298100
Email info@geosmartinfo.co.uk
Legal Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • CDM Regulations
  • Terms & Conditions
Website by Ascendancy Internet Marketing