The guide considers the issues affecting the reuse of brownfield land and examines the existing policies and other mechanisms available to assist in the process of unlocking sites. It contains case studies from brownfield project experience.

Information is provided on the process of establishing local brownfield partnerships together with work undertaken on pilot brownfield land action plans. The regulatory framework for brownfield reuse is described. A phased approach to brownfield redevelopment is presented.

Over the past twelve to fifteen years the term ‘brownfield’ has come into common usage in many industrialised and post-industrial nations around the world.

In the UK, brownfield tends to be regarded as land that has previously been subject to physical development (other than agriculture) and where its reuse may be complicated by one or more factors, which may include contamination.

English Partnerships is the government’s specialist advisor on brownfield land and it has produced the guide with the aim of providing ‘straightforward practical advice on how to effectively and sensitively reuse brownfield land’.

The guide was developed following consultation and research conducted between 2003 and 2006. It was prepared by a team drawn from staff in English Partnerships, the Department for Communities and Local Government, and external advisors.

Workshops and focus groups were organised and the views of individuals and organisations were gathered. Analysis of case study developments, best practice notes and pilot projects was also carried out. Different consultants also carried out research for the project.

The use of brownfield land action plans and local brownfield partnerships are important steps in brining together the different stakeholders. Community involvement is particularly important in ensuring that brownfield projects make appropriate contributions to a sense of place.

It is important to record accurate information as to what has been done to bring former brownfield sites back into use, in order to ensure safety in the future. The legal and regulatory framework can appear complex, but the guide summarises the relevant information.

The phased approach in the guide sets out the sequence of decision-making and activities involved in reusing sites and the most important objective is to ensure that nothing is missed out.

English Partnerships
Phone: + 44 20 7881 1600
mail@englishpartnerships.co.uk

//

01/12/2006

English Partnerships

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Brownfield development