The report by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) found that brownfield viability is worst affected in areas which have significantly more greenfield than brownfield land supply.

The research suggests that high levels of housebuilding in one part of a local authority area sends market signals that make development less viable in other parts of the same authority area.
 
Kate Gordon, CPRE’s Senior Planner, said:

“We urge Councils contemplating large-scale greenfield land releases not to proceed unless they are satisfied these will not harm prospects for redevelopment and regeneration.

“Tremendous potential still exists to make better use of brownfield opportunities and reap the long term rewards in terms of urban renewal.

“As this study shows, for this potential to be realised, great care needs to be taken over the scale, location and timing of greenfield land release.”