Nearly 1.5 Million Homes Could Be Built on Brownfield Sites in England, Report Reveals

Published: 24 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Almost 1.5 million new homes could be constructed on brownfield sites across England, offering a significant opportunity to meet the government’s housing targets while protecting green belt and other sensitive landscapes, according to a new report by the countryside charity CPRE. Despite the scale of land available, developers are reportedly continuing to pursue construction on green land, including areas of outstanding natural beauty, raising concerns about environmental impact and sustainable development.

Analysis of the 2023 and 2024 brownfield registers maintained by local authorities across England shows that the number of sites available for development has increased by 16% over the past year. The report identifies 30,257 brownfield sites spanning 32,884 hectares (approximately 81,223 acres), which are considered suitable for 1.49 million dwellings. More than half of these sites—54%—already have planning permission in place and are considered “deliverable” under national planning policy framework guidelines within five years, providing a substantial stock of shovel-ready properties capable of exceeding half of the government’s 1.5 million home target.

Roger Mortlock, chief executive of CPRE, emphasised the urgency of enforcing a brownfield-first approach to housing development. “If the government is serious about a brownfield-first approach, it needs more teeth,” Mortlock said. “Large developers continue to favour building on our countryside, constructing identikit, car-dependent executive homes that unnecessarily encroach on nature and rural landscapes.”

Brownfield land, CPRE notes, is a continually renewing resource. It encompasses former retail areas in town centres, abandoned factories, and redundant commercial buildings, making it a viable option for meeting housing demands without compromising green belt areas or precious natural habitats. From the south-west, through London and the Midlands, to northern England, there are sufficient brownfield sites to achieve the government’s ambitious housing targets while minimising environmental disruption.

Despite this evidence, the government’s position has often suggested otherwise. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously stated that building 1.5 million homes exclusively on brownfield sites is unfeasible. “We must be honest, we cannot build the homes Britain needs without also releasing some land currently classed as green belt,” he remarked. However, CPRE’s figures contradict this assertion, suggesting that a comprehensive brownfield strategy could meet national housing needs without encroaching on protected land.

Between 2021 and 2022, nearly 46% of housing development took place on green belt or green sites, according to CPRE. The charity criticised the trend as unnecessary, environmentally damaging, and poorly aligned with sustainable development goals. “A new approach to local housing numbers has massively increased targets in many rural areas without evidence of local need or infrastructure to support new communities,” Mortlock said. “These developments force people into car dependency and place pressure on local ecosystems.”

Brownfield sites are particularly plentiful in regions targeted for significant housebuilding growth. In London alone, there are enough brownfield sites to accommodate 535,000 new homes, while the south-east region has potential for 190,814 dwellings and the West Midlands for 191,004. CPRE argues that these areas represent a clear opportunity to deliver affordable and social housing while adhering to environmental protections.

The CPRE has called for enforceable targets for brownfield development, particularly for affordable and social housing, to ensure that shovel-ready sites are prioritised. These recommendations coincide with the government’s preparation of the new planning and infrastructure bill, which critics argue could weaken environmental regulations in an effort to streamline housing approvals. The Office for Environmental Protection has expressed concerns that the bill represents a regression in environmental protections, despite some amendments aimed at improving sustainability.

The Home Builders Federation has cautioned that not all brownfield land is suitable for development. Complexities such as land ownership, remediation requirements, location, and accessibility can make certain sites challenging to develop. “Many brownfield sites are attractive for retail or commercial purposes, which may compete with residential developers,” a spokesperson said. “This can influence land acquisition and affect the viability of housing projects.”

Nevertheless, CPRE maintains that the available brownfield sites present a unique opportunity to reconcile housing growth with environmental stewardship. By focusing on brownfield-first development, the government could meet its housing targets, protect green spaces, and create sustainable communities equipped with appropriate infrastructure.

The debate over brownfield development underscores broader tensions in the UK housing sector, balancing the need for new homes against environmental concerns and community priorities. With careful planning and effective enforcement, advocates argue, it is possible to deliver millions of homes while safeguarding the countryside for future generations.