Brownfield Development

Tuesday, 09, Feb 2010 08:44

What is a brownfield development?

'Brownfield' land is an area of land or premises that has been previously used, but has subsequently become vacant, derelict or contaminated. This term derived from its opposite, undeveloped or 'greenfield' land. Brownfield sites typically require preparatory regenerative work before any new development goes ahead, and can also be partly occupied.

Background

Brownfield land gained political significance after the Government set a national target in February 1998 to ensure 60 per cent of all new developments were built on brownfield land.

In planning terms, local authorities use brownfield development to help regenerate decaying inner urban areas. This approach is deemed preferable to developing on green space.

Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3) published in November 2006, reiterated the Government's commitment to the 60 per cent target for new homes built on brownfield land, stressing that local authorities should continue to prioritise brownfield land in their plans and "take stronger action" to bring more brownfield land back into use.

The national regeneration agency English Partnerships was tasked by the Government to work with government departments and a wide range of stakeholders to develop a National Brownfield Strategy for England.

Subsequently the National Brownfield Forum was established to oversee the implementation of the National Brownfield Strategy and report annually on its progress. The Forum held its first meeting in February 2009 and further meetings are to be held quarterly.

Controversies

Businesses and developers are often unenthusiastic about developing on brownfield sites because of the expense of clearing contaminated areas and the limitations on building growth.

The planning process is often seen by some as a major stumbling block to increasing brownfield development: obtaining the necessary permissions can be delayed by negotiations over clean-up operations and other concerns.

This can be the case with housing, where brownfield areas may not be suitable for gardens, although they are usually adequate for city apartment developments. Developers are sometimes accused of being more inclined to construct more profitable, larger 'executive' housing in attractive rural settings, rather than redeveloping decaying areas with limited space.

Planning guidance is also sometimes said to be contradictory on flood risks, with PPS3 prioritising brownfield development, while PPS25 favours development in low-risk flood areas. This problem is reinforced by evidence suggesting land at risk from flooding will significantly increase by 2050.

Statistics

Land Use Change Statistics (England) 2008 - provisional estimates (July 2009)

In 2008, on a provisional estimate: 79 per cent of dwellings (including conversions) were built on previously-developed land, compared to 77 per cent in 2007.

New dwellings were built at an average density of 44 dwellings per hectare, as were dwellings in 2007.

In 2007: 2 per cent of dwellings were built within the Green Belt (unchanged since 2004) and 5 per cent of land changing to residential use (from any use) was within the Green Belt (unchanged since 2001).

9 per cent of dwellings were built within areas of high flood risk and 6 per cent of land changing to residential use was within areas of high flood risk

Source: Department for Communities and Local Government – July 2009

Quotes

"We live in a country with increasing pressures on our limited land space and a long industrial past that has left us with a significant legacy of soil pollution. This means it is vital that we recycle our brownfield land, and make it suitable for its new use."

Environment minister Huw Irranca-Davies speaking at the Contaminated Land and Brownfield Remediation Awards ceremony – September 2009