The government has issued a call for evidence on plans to introduce ‘brownfield passports’ to speed up planning approvals for urban sites, such as car parks.
The government said the introduction of the passports will ensure “where proposals meet design and quality standards, the default answer is yes”.
The call for evidence will explore different options to “further increase certainty” in relation to brownfield development and following the consultation – which closes on 24 September – the options will be discussed with key stakeholders, before specific proposals are consulted on, and any new policies implemented.
In response to the government’s plans, Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “This is an important consultation exercise. Brownfield development is complex and the ‘passports’ concept represents a huge opportunity to support the government’s ambitions for more housing and growth, whilst at the same time breathing new life into our towns and cities. Making use of existing land and infrastructure also makes perfect sense in a world where sustainability is vital.”
