Unlocking urban brownfield sites could deliver more than 1.3 million new homes and more than 1.14 million new jobs in England by 2035, according to research commissioned by British Land, Landsec and The Berkeley Group.
Development Economics looked at 16 of the largest and most dynamic urban areas in England where the pressure for development is the most intense and identified a significant untapped opportunity to deliver new homes, jobs and nearly £185bn of additional GDV from business activity occurring on those sites.
The research found that under a ‘business-as-usual scenario’, more than 518,000 new homes could be built on brownfield land in the 16 urban areas, but this could rise to more than 1.3 million if housing densities were increased in these areas.
Mark Allan, CEO of Landsec, said: “Both of the main political parties have been clear on their priorities for growth but with the current economic situation, neither party has the capital to invest in that growth. This research clearly demonstrates the opportunity available through brownfield urban regeneration, an opportunity that we believe can be easily unlocked through simple changes to the planning regime, ahead of wider reform.”
Simon Carter, CEO of British Land, added: “Britain has a housing crisis and a productivity crisis and solving both problems is key to returning our country to sustainable, long-term growth. Unlocking urban regeneration through a series of easily deliverable measures would pay huge dividends for the nation. The research we have published today reveals the scale of this opportunity to deliver growth with community support in cities and major urban areas right across the UK.”
Rob Perrins, chief executive of The Berkeley Group, said: “This research lays bare the untapped potential of brownfield regeneration to tackle the housing crisis, drive growth and tackle deepening inequalities in urban Britain. But development within our towns and cities has gone through a steep and lasting decline as well-meaning changes to planning, tax and regulatory regimes create a rigid and complex system which blocks investment. The good news is that targeted changes can unlock brownfield regeneration very quickly and realise the hugely positive outcomes they can deliver for the communities around them.”
In July this year, British Land and Landsec launched a joint discussion paper ‘More growth, more jobs, more homes’ which proposed a series of changes to reform the planning system and help to unlock urban regeneration.
