PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Derelict Land (19 December 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to promote the benefits of brownfield registers to local authorities, developers, and communities.

Asked by:
Bob Blackman (Conservative)

Local planning authorities are required to publish a statutory brownfield land register identifying which previously developed sites are suitable for housing by the end of 2017.

My officials have been supporting the implementation of brownfield registers and permission in principle through an active programme of engagement since early summer. We are also identifying authorities to work with whose positive or innovative approach can be used to promote good practice. Further assistance will be provided in 2018 to help promote permission in principle on suitable sites on registers.

Small sites, including sites on brownfield land, have a crucial role to play in increasing housing supply and speeding up delivery. That is why we announced in the Autumn Budget our proposal to expect authorities to bring forward 20 per cent of their housing supply as small sites. This will speed up the building of new homes and support the Government’s wider ambition to increase competition in the house building market. Brownfield registers can contribute to this alongside other measures as authorities have the discretion to include smaller sites in their registers and grant permission in principle on those sites if they wish.

Answered by:
Lord Sharma (Conservative)
27 December 2017