Government announces plans for brownfield building

The government has announced plans to support and expedite approval of urban sites, such as car parks, for building.

As signalled in the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, the government is taking further steps toward the introduction of an effective ‘brownfield passport’ to ensure where proposals meet design and quality standards, the default answer is yes.

A call for evidence will be launched on options to further increase certainty in relation to brownfield development.

Measures would include proposals that provide more clarity as to the principle, scale, and form of brownfield development with a view to lowering the risk, cost and uncertainty associated with securing planning permissions. The options would then be discussed with key stakeholders, before specific proposals are consulted on, and any new policies implemented.

CPRE head of policy and planning Paul Miner said: 'CPRE welcomes the government’s announcement of ‘brownfield passports’ that would give permission in principle for appropriate developments on areas of brownfield land.
 
'There are enough shovel-ready brownfield sites in England alone for 1.2 million new homes and we have been calling on the government to deliver on its commitments to a brownfield-first approach to housebuilding. ‘Brownfield passports’ could help speed up delivery of these much-needed homes by reducing the risk that planning permission would not be given, incentivising  housebuilders to buy and develop brownfield land.  
 
'It’s crucial that communities are consulted on new developments, which should therefore be delivered in line with agreed local plans.  
 
'We urge the government to require a significant proportion of new homes to be genuinely affordable homes and, in particular, available for social rent.  As well as a focus on developing brownfield, we need to see ambitious targets for genuinely affordable and social rented homes that the market, dominated by a small number of large players, has failed to deliver.'