The amount of
farmland, forests, gardens and greenfield land lost to housing development each
year has increased by 58% over the past 4 years, according to an analysis by
the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).
CPRE’s
analysis of an annual report highlighting changes in land use, published by the
Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 31 May, shows that
the area of ‘non-previously developed land’ lost to housing annually has been
steadily rising, from 2,105 hectares of land in 2013, to 3,332 hectares of land
in 2017.
This alarming
loss of countryside to housing is taking place despite a promising increase in
the proportion of housing development taking place on brownfield land.
Previously, Government data showed a worrying decrease in the proportion of
land developed for housing that was brownfield, which down to 28% in 2016, from
41% in 2013. However, last year’s data shows that the proportion of land used
for housing had increased to 44% brownfield, back to levels similar to 2013.
This increase
in brownfield development reflects positive steps that Government has taken to
encourage better use of suitable previously developed land following successful
campaigning by CPRE since the introduction of the National Planning Policy
Framework (NPPF) in 2012, which removed the former ‘brownfield first’ policy
from the planning rulebook.
But much more
needs to be done. Government planning policy still encourages housing
development on greenfield sites, at wastefully low densities. Today’s
Government statistics show that greenfield sites are being developed at an
average of just 26 homes per hectare - less than the minimum density of
dwellings required by previous planning policy (30 homes per hectare), and even
brownfield sites are only being developed at 40 homes per hectare.
The rapid
concreting over of the countryside has been propelled by a market-driven
rhetoric, with the government opting for a build-more-at-any-cost approach,
which has led to low density unaffordable homes being built on our green spaces
that will not help solve the worsening housing crisis. It also shows that the
government is failing to deliver its own commitments to the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals.
Rebecca
Pullinger, Planning Campaigner at the Campaign to Protect Rural England said:
"Whilst the increase in the proportion of development taking place on
brownfield land is promising, the lack of reduction in greenfield development
is alarming news for those who love the countryside. Developers are still able
to force through land hungry, greenfield development even when brownfield
options exist, often only benefitting their own profits.
"Without
a clear, national policy that empowers councils to refuse applications for
housing on greenfield land where suitable brownfield options exist, our
cherished countryside will continue to be ripped up at an alarming rate.
"Brownfield
land is a renewable resource, with new sites constantly being brought forward.
It is often quicker to develop than greenfield land, and the majority is in
areas that people want to live, best suiting their lifestyle and needs. It also
helps towards the regeneration of our towns and cities. It is a win-win for
all."
CPRE is
calling for the introduction of an explicit policy in the revised National
Planning Policy Framework that ensures suitable brownfield sites are developed
before greenfield sites are released, and which prevents developers from
cherry-picking greenfield sites. More should be done to encourage councils to
be proactive in identifying opportunities to provide new homes on brownfield
sites and to use Brownfield Registers to bring suitable sites forward for
development.
