The British Property Federation (BPF) has backed calls for the government to create a remediation fund for development on brownfield land, which it says would provide a boost to the property industry.
A Select Committee report into the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) suggests that the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) establish a fund to enable the remediation of brownfield sites and set out a prospectus for how this fund will operate.
Property developers are often find building on brownfield land challenging as bringing it back in to use can be prohibitively expensive. Government support would unlock a number of sites for much-needed development.
Further recommendations which the BPF welcomed include the need for local authorities to recognise the importance of timely infrastructure provision to delivering sustainable development, and the importance of having a local plan in place.
The BPF was also pleased to see that the report recommends that all councils should review the size and boundaries of their green belts.
Giving evidence to the CLG Select Committee’s enquiry into the operation of the NPPF earlier this year, the BPF’s chief executive Liz Peace recommended "a serious examination of the possibility of being more flexible about using the Green Belt", which she said could be used to help supply housing and tackle problems such as traffic and sustainability.
In her evidence, Peace also warned that further changes made to the framework could be detrimental to its implementation, which is reflected in the report’s recommendation that the NPPF should be allowed to ‘bed-in’ fully before any major overhauls take place.
Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: "We warmly welcome this report, and the Committee’s extensive and thorough approach to all areas of this fundamental bedrock of the planning system. In particular, we support calls for a fund for land remediation to encourage sustainable development on brownfield sites be created. We are also pleased to see it encourage local authorities to review their green belt boundaries so as to ensure changes are properly considered, as this also has a part to play in solving the housing crisis.
"That local authorities should give proper consideration to the infrastructure needs of their area, and should plan appropriately and consider a timetable for delivery, is also very sensible.
"Crucially, the report recognises that the NPPF should not be dismantled but tweaked round the edges, and that a proper evidence base be established in order to make the right amendments in the future. We urge this Government to take on board the quick wins and for this process to be continued post-election."