New figures released by Homes and Communities Agency have revealed that thousands of homes could be built on available brownfield sites.
Figures published by the Homes and Communities Agency have revealed that thousands more homes could be built on brownfield sites in the future.
By 2020, the government wants to see permissions in place for homes on over 90 per cent of suitable brownfield land. This would protect green belt land and enable up to 200,000 new homes to be built.
Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “This government has been very clear that when planning for new buildings, protecting our precious green belt is paramount.
“Local people don’t want to lose their countryside to urban sprawl, or see towns and cities lost to unnecessary development.
“We have put Local Plans at the heart of the reformed planning system, so councils and local people can now decide where development should and shouldn’t go.
“Support for new housing is growing, because communities welcome development if it is built in the right place and does not ignore their needs.
“That’s why planning permission for 230,000 homes was granted by councils in the last year alone, while official statistics show that green belt development is at its lowest rate since modern records began in 1989.”
London, which will also see 20 new housing zones built on brownfield land, will also benefit from £400m investment from the government and the Greater London Authority.
£200m additional funding will also be made available for 10 zones outside London.
Councils have been asked to consider how to protect and preserve important sites in local areas. This includes green belt sites, areas of scientific interest or natural beauty, heritage coastline, and national parks.
