HC Deb 26 February 1998 vol 307 c324W
Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of new houses he estimates have been built on brown-field land in each of the last five years. [30974]

Mr. Raynsford

There is no specific definition of "brownfield" land but it is usually taken to mean land previously developed for urban uses. These uses include residential, transport and utilities, industry and commerce, community services, previously developed vacant land and derelict land. The table gives estimates for England of the percentage of new dwellings (excluding conversions) built on land that was previously developed for urban uses. It also shows the percentage of land for new housing that was previously developed. The figures are for each year from 1989 to 1995 (the most recent available).

This information is included in the policy document "Planning for the Communities of the Future", launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in his statement in the House on 23 February 1998, Official Report, columns 21–37.

Re-use of previously developed land for housing—England
Per cent.
Year New dwellings on previously developed land1 Land for new housing that was previously developed
1989 51 42
1990 50 43
1991 49 44
1992 53 47
1993 53 48
1994 50 45
19952 50
1 Statistics for dwellings are not available prior to 1989. Dwellings figures do not include conversions.
2 1995 figure for percentage by land is percentage by dwellings is not yet available.

Source:

Land Use Change Statistics.