Nothing says ‘build back better’ like investing in brownfield land, says CPRE

Commenting on the Chancellor’s brownfield funding pledge ahead of the Autumn Budget, Tom Fyans, deputy chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said:

‘Making proper use of our previously developed brownfield land is one sure fire way to help build back better. This investment is a huge win for communities and countryside campaigners up and down the country who have long been calling for more well-located homes they can afford. The funding has the potential to breathe new life into long forgotten and derelict areas of our towns, cities and villages. Better yet, it will also go a long way in halting the loss of greenfield land, which is crucial in our efforts to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

'But we know there is a long way to go to match ambition with action. Our research has found that there is space for over a million new homes on brownfield land, with a significant proportion already having planning permission. It really is a no brainer that these sites, many of which are located in the north and midlands, are put at the front of the queue for development to realize the government’s leveling up ambitions.

‘That’s why we’re urging the government to turn this funding pledge into well designed, low carbon homes that local people can afford with no delay. It is crucial these commitments are backed up by a firm urban brownfield first policy when the government revises the National Planning Policy Framework in the New Year. Otherwise we’ll continue to see poorly designed greenfield developments in the wrong places that siphon off a lot of public money.

Next month, CPRE will be publishing an update to our State of brownfield research and we look forward to working with the government to drive up build out rates of genuinely affordable and low carbon homes on brownfield sites.’

Notes to editors   

The State of Brownfield 2020 full report can be found here: https://www.cpre.org.uk/news/theres-already-enough-suitable-land-to-meet-targets-for-new-homes-we-find/

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