Propertymark has endorsed the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government’s initiative to establish a ‘brownfield passport,’ a proposal aimed at accelerating the approval process for housing developments. This move is positioned to streamline new housing approvals, especially for developments on previously used, or brownfield, sites.

On July 30, 2024, the Ministry launched a consultation to gather perspectives on potential changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, releasing a series of documents designed to solicit industry insights on how the planning system could be overhauled.

One of these papers detailed a vision to implement explicit standards for development proposals on brownfield sites. The idea is that by setting clear guidelines, costs and approval times could be trimmed significantly, providing developers with greater certainty as they navigate the planning process.

Under this ‘brownfield passport’ system, local councils would gain the ability to expedite approval for proposals that meet specific, pre-set standards. The goal is to alleviate some of the bureaucratic hurdles that can often delay housing projects.

Amidst its support, Propertymark has highlighted ongoing issues with housing supply, which they argue are critical in shaping both the purchase and rental markets. The organization underscored that any updates to planning policy must aim to expand housing availability across all segments, bridging the chasm between the existing demand for homes and the supply available.

The body also asserted that proposals under this policy should be deeply informed by the housing needs of each community, as well as the infrastructure required to support them. Propertymark emphasized that sufficient time and resources must be invested in defining the criteria for the brownfield passport to ensure it effectively meets these local requirements.

Furthermore, Propertymark advocated for a planning approach that promotes the development of homes aligned with local demands. They argued that such tailored developments would help address the housing crisis by providing homes that are better suited to community needs.

Henry Griffith, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, expressed his views on the initiative, saying: “Propertymark supports the concept of a ‘brownfield passport’, especially if it helps speed up planning proposals and can ensure any new homes built reflect the needs of the local community.”

Griffith continued, “The housing crisis is an ongoing issue and planning proposals can get bogged down by local opposition to new homes, so this measure would go some way to ensure that local wishes are reflected in planning proposals, which will guarantee that any new homes built can be quickly occupied.”

He concluded by stressing the importance of careful implementation, adding, “When producing the brownfield passports, it is vitally important that local planning authorities spend sufficient time and resources to create specific parameters that would satisfy this need for local housing and larger infrastructure.”

In essence, while the brownfield passport concept promises to streamline housing development on previously used sites, Propertymark has emphasized the critical need for thoughtful planning, local adaptability, and an approach that ultimately bridges the housing supply gap.