Long-term thinking needed when redeveloping Yorkshire's brownfield sites for housing: Daniel Crew

The government department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has pinpointed a need to focus on brownfield regeneration through its latest five year plan, with targets revealed in January and funding that aims to deliver thousands of new homes by March 2027.

This is important when we consider the amount of brownfield land across Yorkshire that was previously used for low grade or low quality housing.

We often see this land left derelict due to a lack of investment in some communities, often due to perceptions of the areas as traditionally challenging.

Carefully choosing parcels of land that offer redevelopment options is key to prioritising the health and wellbeing of local residents and cannot be overlooked if the aim is to foster happy communities.

We recently celebrated the completion of the City’s Reach development as part of the ‘Citywide Consortium’ in collaboration with Strata Homes and Hull City Council to deliver one of Hull’s largest, most widespread housing regeneration programmes.

It’s often said that housing needs input from local authority planning teams, but it’s important to also emphasise that due to the saturated amount of brownfield and regeneration possibility, it’s key to operate a robust partnership model that connects local authorities with housebuilders.

Councils and housebuilders are inextricably linked and must work together to breathe new life into brownfield sites.

Working closely with local residents, understanding the local vernacular and creating developments that offer something new and positive to communities is also key in creating lasting relationships and leaving a housing legacy that will continue to serve communities of the future.

New housing is needed, however it’s integral to key developments success that housebuilders and planning teams consult with the people who are already part of the existing established community, to understand what they need.

Brownfield land developments will only be successful if they provide a purpose to the residents that is in tune with their needs and dreams for the area - investing in change only makes an impact if it’s a desired change for all involved.

Connecting with local schools, colleges and charities is also key to understanding the needs and values within a locality.

By engaging with young people across Yorkshire, we’ve been able to align our business outputs with their hopes for the future, including creating apprenticeship opportunities and more active green spaces for them to enjoy.

Housebuilders must also engage with local supply chains and businesses to continue to invest in the area that is being developed.

This is particularly important when we consider the reasonable amount of brownfield land across the UK that was previously used for low grade or low quality housing.

We often see businesses calling out for investment in neighbouring land as it becomes derelict.

Local-based businesses are keen to improve perception of their area to positively impact their own organisational needs and growth.

Alongside investing in people and communities, housebuilders must invest in a sustainable product that priotisies wellbeing, wildlife and low emissions.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has identified a focus on brownfield regeneration through its five year strategic plan, with targets revealed in January and funding that aims to deliver 5,800 new homes by March 2027.

In addition, from 2025 the Future Homes Standard will deliver homes that are zero-carbon ready, with a focus on low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency.

This will support the Government in reaching its legally binding net zero emissions target, which requires the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

The homes that are constructed now need to be future proofed and decarbonised so that they last for generations to come. By working together as an industry, we can improve the fabric standards of our homes and focus on bringing lasting change to home design, people, and communities.

The housebuilding industry should continue to focus on the long-term, to bring lasting change to home designs, people and communities to improve overall economic, environmental and social outcomes for generations to come.

Daniel Crew is Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat for the Yorkshire East region