Brownfield land should be used for housing
The consultants leading the proposal to build a Lidl supermarket and drive through claim that “Part of the site is previously developed and is termed ‘brownfield’. It is generally favourable for new development to be located on brownfield land because it has previously been developed on.”
What does “Brownfield” mean?
According to the National Planning Policy Framework, brownfield land is “Land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land (although it should not be assumed that the whole of the curtilage should be developed) and any associated fixed surface infrastructure.”
What is a Brownfield Land Register?
Local planning authorities in England are required to maintain and publish registers of brownfield land suitable for housing. Brownfield land registers were introduced to encourage residential development on brownfield sites to reduce the development of greenfield sites for housing. They enable planning authorities to trigger a grant of permission in principle for residential development.
Why does this matter?
Hart’s Brownfield Land Report accompanies the Hart Brownfield Land Register, and is therefore written in the context of residential development planning. It states that “The focus for development should...be on opportunities to regenerate, redevelop, and make better use of brownfield land.”
The Elvetham Heath “park and ride” site is listed on the Hart Brownfield Land Register as “Land south and east of Elvetham Heath Way”. The register states that the car park area of the site has potential for the development of up to 40 dwellings.
Therefore, contrary to CL Planning’s assertion that the brownfield nature of the site makes its proposal “favourable”, the reality is that use of the site for any non-residential purpose would remove an opportunity for much-needed brownfield housing development in the district.