The introduction of brownfield land registers in England

Abstract

This review examines recent planning policy and legislation regarding the regeneration of brownfield land in England. The study is centred on housing and England’s West Midlands region with a focus on the Black Country. The Housing and Planning Act 2016 introduced provisions to grant permission in principle for housing-led development in England and mandated the assembly of brownfield planning registers. The Brownfield Land Register Regulations 2017 requirements and their implementation is explored. The review concludes that of almost 18,000 brownfield sites have been mapped and capacity for 1.3 million homes on 21,000 sites covering 25,000 hectares has been identified on brownfield registers.