CPRE’s latest Brownfield Report has found that more than 800,000 new homes could be quickly built across England on land that has already been developed.
55% of brownfield sites secured either full or in-principle planning permission in 2024, according to the report.
Additionally, the data found that there is enough brownfield land to build 1.48 million new homes, meaning Government targets for 1.5 million homes by 2030 could be reached with less use of greenfield sites.
CPRE noted that focusing on brownfield sites first would speed up housebuilding and limit damage to the countryside.
The number of brownfield sites marked as suitable for new homes increased by 16%, according to the Local Authority Brownfield Registers.
CPRE called on the Government to enforce its brownfield-first policy, focus Homes England investment on brownfield, reject speculative greenfield building, keep local authority brownfield registers up to date, and set strong targets for affordable and social homes on shovel-ready brownfield sites.
Roger Mortlock, CEO at CPRE, said: “The government has pledged a brownfield-first approach to new housing, but the reality is more unnecessary development on green fields.
“A new approach to local housing numbers has massively increased the target in many rural areas without any evidence of local need and without the infrastructure to support new communities.
“We know that large developers favour building in the countryside, while the number of brownfield sites continues to grow.”
Mortlock added: “More identikit, car-dependent executive homes needlessly built on the countryside.
“The recent brownfield passports are a great first step, but if the government is serious about a brownfield-first approach, it needs more teeth.
“We need targets for brownfield sites, up-to-date brownfield registers, and investment in genuinely affordable and social homes on brownfield land.”
He said: “If we want homes that tackle the housing crisis, revitalise our towns and cities, and create vibrant, sustainable communities close to existing infrastructure, then these unused brownfield sites have to be the place we start.”
