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New brownfield policies to benefit communities ?

Posted: 06/12/2006

England’s brownfield land is set to be used more effectively and efficiently to support communities, following new policy proposals published by the national regeneration agency, English Partnerships. The proposals acknowledge the importance of reusing brownfield land for a full range of activities, including housing, employment, recreation and open space as well as increasing wild life habitats.

Publication coincides with the launch by DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) of a new Planning Policy Statement on Housing, which confirms a continuing focus on brownfield land.

Professor Paul Syms, National Brownfield Adviser to English Partnerships, says that the proposals build on an existing strong culture for reusing previously developed land. “We already have a good track record in England for recyling brownfield land but there are many barriers that make the process less efficient and less attractive than we would like. Our proposals aim to increase the beneficial reuse of brownfield land and buildings, including tackling some of the more difficult, long-term derelict and vacant sites that can often blight communities.”

Six ‘over-arching principles’ that aim to ensure the country’s 63,000 ha of previously developed land is used to better effect have been identified. These include focussing on the widest possible range of uses, not just housing; that efforts should be concentrated in areas where existing infrastructure has the capacity to support redevelopment; and that all future uses should, where possible, help support families and assist in combating anti-social behaviour.

The recommendations are the result of a three-year consultation programme, carried out in conjunction with DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) and involving Defra (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), the Environment Agency and other Government departments, along with local authorities and private sector stakeholders.

The complex issues surrounding the reuse of brownfield land, and possible approaches as to how these might be addressed, will form the basis of a stakeholder consultation workshop to be held on 13 December. Following this, English Partnerships will submit detailed policy recommendations to Government early in the New Year.

The workshop will also be the venue for the launch of the Brownfield Guide: a practitioners guide to reusing brownfield land, a ‘best practice’ toolkit aimed at disseminating the experience of English Partnerships’ and other organisations that are actively involved in reusing brownfield land.

Green Building Press  
 

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