Environmental charity says findings could ease pressure on countryside
New research finds so-called ‘brownfield’ sites could provide space for more than 76,000 homes across the southwest. The findings, produced by Devon CPRE, add that these areas could see the provision of more than 16,700 new homes across the county.
Brownfield sites are often considered to be zones where the land may have been previously developed – but is now left idle. The charity adds their usage would reduce the need to develop areas seen as ‘green field’ sections of the county.
Across the South West, the charity says 60% of the region’s brownfield sites already have full or outline planning permission.
It means these areas could be developed rapidly – so reducing the need to encroach on undeveloped greenfield land and productive farmland.
It adds the government’s target of building almost 40,000 new homes per year, across the region, could be achieved for almost two years by repurposing brownfield sites.
The latest available data for Devon shows that Plymouth has the highest number of available brownfield areas.
The charity says it totals 154 sites which cover an area of around 220 hectares. It adds the number is enough to build a minimum of 9,663 dwellings.
Experts say that almost half of the brownfield area available in Plymouth already has full or outline planning permission, enough space for 4,446 new houses.
They go onto to break down the figures for across the region with Torbay containing 100 brownfield sites (enough for 1,332 new dwellings). The team add that 409 homes in Torbay could be built on brownfield land that already has planning permission.
‘Minimise the environmental impact associated with urban sprawl’
‘Brownfield land should be the first port of call for building the affordable homes that Devon badly needs,’ says Penny Mills, Director of Devon CPRE.
‘A ‘brownfield-first’ approach would not only meet housing demand more quickly, but also minimise the environmental impact associated with urban sprawl and undeveloped countryside.’
‘For years, Devon CPRE has campaigned for the right number and type of homes to be built in the right locations.’
‘Brownfield sites are typically closer to existing infrastructure, such as public transport, schools, and healthcare facilities.’
‘If so many of them already have some form of planning permission, why aren’t they being built on, instead of putting massive housing estates on our green fields? It makes no sense at all.’
The new research was gathered from the most recent available figures and comes from the Local Authority brownfield registers up to 2024.
The CPRE adds that the revitalisation of abandoned and disused brownfield areas can regenerate communities, fostering social and economic growth.
It says the transformation of neglected spaces into vibrant housing developments would see a ‘brownfield-first’ policy attracting new residents and businesses to urban areas.
Breaktime News has previously reported on Devon CPRE’s calls to prioritise affordable housing for local people – and increase the stock of social housing.
