New research reveals nearly half a million homes could be built across London on land that currently lies derelict amid a worsening housing crisis in the capital.

London’s brownfield space, defined as previously developed plots of land that are no longer in use, covers a vast expanse of 3,515 hectares – around 25 times the size of Hyde Park.

Analysis of local authority data from residential block and facilities management company SBA Property Management has found that the city's brownfield space could accommodate a minimum of 414,273 new homes if put into use.

At present, however, only approximately 56% of brownfield sites have full planning permission for work to proceed, meaning there are thousands of sites standing unused without any plans for redevelopment. The news comes at a time of acute housing shortages across the capital, with many Londoners pushed into insecure or unaffordable accommodation.

In 2021, City Hall set targets of delivering 52,000 new homes a year, though so far it has failed to reach its annual goal on any occasion. Brownfield space could accommodate most of these new homes, however strict planning laws and high development costs have slowed progress.