As part of its brownfield-first approach to development, the UK Government has announced plans to support and expedite the approval of urban sites to sit alongside their plans to deliver 1.5m homes.

As signalled in the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, further steps are being taken to introduce an effective ‘brownfield passport’ to ensure proposals meet design and quality standards.

A call for evidence will be launched on options to increase certainty about brownfield development. These will include bold proposals that provide far greater clarity as to the principle, scale, and form of brownfield development to lower the risk, cost and uncertainty associated with securing planning permissions. 

Greater use of design codes, pre-approved by residents and in keeping with local character, will give developers greater certainty that proposals will be approved quickly. Key stakeholders will be part of future discussions before specific proposals are consulted on, and any new policies implemented.

Labour has stated that cities must grow by releasing grey belt land, but also the need to densify in their existing boundaries – brownfield first, grey belt second. Building denser cities is key to drive growth and prosperity, which Prime Minister, Sir Kier Starmer outlined denser cities mean people are closer to work, have better transport infrastructure, and business has the widest talent pool.