Brownfield Land Housing in Huddersfield
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott wants 20,000 new houses built on Huddersfield's greenfield and brownfield land by 2016. But how? And why?
Q. We're told the Government aims to see 20,000 new homes built by 2016 in Huddersfield. Why do we need all these extra houses in our town?
A. The main factor is an increase in the number of smaller households, including more single people who live alone.
Q. What will the split be between brownfield land and greenfield sites?
A. We want to see the development of brownfield land before greenfield. Brownfield land is land that's been built on before. Greenfield land is fresh fields.
Our target is for 65% of new houses to be built on brownfield land.
The exception to this principle is when waste ground or cleared brownfield land is very tricky to build on - for example, if it's not in a suitable location, is difficult to reach, or can't be well-served by roads and other essentials.
Q: What about run-down areas close to town with derelict buildings? And houses that first-time buyers can afford?
A. Our policy is to encourage regeneration of these areas. Spending in the low housing demand areas of the North and Midlands will be trebled, from £150m in 04/05 to over £450m in 07/08, to tackle the scourge of abandoned homes and drive up economic development.
When there's a need for a particular type of home that's not being met by the market, Kirklees Council should work with partners to achieve it. Regional Planning Guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber is now providing for an annual average provision of 1,310 homes in Kirklees between 1998 and 2016, of which 65% is the provisional target for those to be built on brownfield land.
Source: IC Huddersfield, 26.11.2004
