There is pressure to build new homes in England to accommodate population and household growth. Building on brownfield sites in cities has advantages like revitalizing decaying areas and reducing urban sprawl, but issues include potential land contamination cleanup costs and increased housing prices driving out local residents. Greenfield development has disadvantages such as high upfront infrastructure costs and environmental impacts from converting rural land, but can provide more lower density housing. Local governments must decide between brownfield and greenfield options while balancing various community and environmental factors.

1. The use of Greenfield and Brownfield sites for additional housing

2. Learning Objectives Understand why there is pressure to build new homes in England Be able to describe the issues faced by planners when deciding where to build new houses Know the advantages and disadvantages of building new homes on brownfield and greenfield sites

3. The Background The government project that by 2012 there will be an extra 3.4 million people living in the UK The number of households is expected to rise by 3.8 million Most new households want a housing unit of their own which creates pressure on land Causes Ageing population – 77% of growth in demand for households is because of growth in adult population Changing lifestyles – more divorcees and later marriages (71% of the new households will be single person)

4. Solutions Increase the number of people living in homes that already exist. There are 800000 empty homes in England. Building new homes on brownfield sites in towns and cities Building new homes near to work and leisure activities Allowing building in rural areas and small towns on land that has not been ‘previously developed’

5. Issues surrounding use of brownfield sites Pressure on sites in urban areas – who will be allowed to use them? Pressure from residential, retail, leisure and industrial users. The local council must decide who the land will be used by; what use will be of most benefit to the local community? Private sector involvement is important – public sector doesn’t have funding to pay for development of brownfield sites New housing often gentrifies areas – incomers may be in a higher socio-economic group so the area will improve. Crime rates and other social problems will decline.

6. Local councils don’t want city centres to decay – new resident will provide a larger threshold population for businesses. The need for new housing is acute, especially in the southeast. Using brownfield sites would help revitalise areas in decline and slow down urban expansion. Movement of people into central areas reduced congestion. It is easier for councils to provide public transport in inner cities where distances are short and population density is high. Issues surrounding use of brownfield sites

7. House prices can increase rapidly – this is a negative issue for local people who are often unable to afford the higher prices. This will therefore affect local councils who need to provide accommodation for poorer groups in society. Issue of building on contaminated land and the cost of making the land safe. Issues surrounding use of brownfield sites

8. Brownfield sites Greenfield sites Derelict sites in urban areas New sites, usually on agricultural land in greenbelts around urban areas The land is available but can be costly to reclaim if it has been polluted by industrial use; this information may not be readily available Land is not available unless planning permission has been obtained; there is usually a public enquiry and a delay of several years, adding to the costs Housing is likely to be built at a high density to reflect the high cost of land Housing will be relatively low density – there is high demand for such housing Infrastructure is already present, though existing facilities could becomes overloaded Infrastructure costs are high as new sewerage, water, gas and electricity supplies have to be considered; new schools and health facilities may be needed too Sites tend to be small patches of land Sites tend to be larger The environment is generally improved, especially visually The environment is changed from rural to urban use