‘The urban renaissance needs a renewed commitment from Government if we are to meet the Nation’s need for new housing while minimising the loss of countryside.  The Callcutt Review shows that the housebuilding industry can deliver this if the right conditions are created.’

This was the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s (CPRE’s) [1] response to the key findings of the Callcutt Review [2] published today (Thursday).  Neil Sinden, CPRE’s Policy Director, said:

‘We have seen great progress in the renewal of our towns and cities over the past decade, with around three quarters of new housing currently being provided on brownfield sites. [3] 

‘But urban renewal is work in progress. Planners are seriously underestimating the amount of brownfield land that can be redeveloped. [4] We need a new national target to achieve at least 75% of new housing on brownfield sites by 2011 to drive progress and innovation as well as further fiscal incentives to stimulate brownfield regeneration.  We also need Government action to encourage housebuilders to use their rapidly expanding landbanks which have grown by nearly three times the rate of housing completions.’ [5]

Neil Sinden concluded:

‘We need to do more to extend the benefits of urban renewal throughout our large conurbations and to those towns still in need of investment and renewal.  Not only will this protect the countryside from unnecessary development, it should benefit many of our most deprived urban communities.  We should work together to ensure we deliver new housing where it is most needed.’

– END –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2.  The Callcutt Review of Housebuilding Delivery, commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) in December 2006, is issuing its final report on Thursday 22 November.  John Callcutt, former Chief Executive of Crest Nicholson plc and English Partnerships, led the Review.  More details at www.callcuttreview.co.uk

3. The percentage of dwellings provided on previously developed land and from conversions (known collectively as brownfield sites) was 74% in 2006.  The national target of 60% homes on brownfield sites by 2008 was achieved in 2000.

4.  CPRE’s report Untapped Potential (available from CPRE’s press office: 020 7981 2880) shows that many local authorities and developers are seriously underestimating the amount of brownfield land that can be redeveloped, and shows what can be done to address this.  This research shows that London alone has enough small sites close to town centres to accommodate around 60,000 new homes.

5.  CPRE’s report Housebuilders’ Landbanks 1998-2005 (based on information provided in the annual reports of the leading housebuilders in Great Britain) shows that the landbanks (land with outline planning permission or better) held by the 17 leading housebuilders in Great Britain in 1998 increased by 44% (from 237,069 plots to 341,552) over the 7 years to 2005 (even accounting for the fact that four companies had been absorbed by others in mergers).  Over the same period, overall completions in Great Britain increased by only 15% (from 147,576 units to 169,181). At the same time, consolidation in the industry means that over 65% of new homes are now built by the top 25 housebuilders.  The Callcutt Review is disappointing in failing adequately to address the problem posed by housebuilders’ landbanks, but we hope the current review by the Office of Fair Trading will examine this issue and make firm recommendations for Government action.