More incentives needed to encourage brownfield developments

A new report from Civitas suggests that the UK has enough brownfield space to build 2.5m houses. Report author Peter Haslehurst, chairman of manufacturing group Luxfer Holdings, argues there are not enough incentives for developers to build on brownfield sites where costs are higher. He writes: "If the costs of clearing up brownfield sites were genuinely met by central government, then developers would be eager to make profits on them. Not only would the subsequent corporation tax flow to the Treasury, but many brownfield eyesores in towns and cities would disappear; the pressure for new roads, schools, public transport, shops, hospitals and other infrastructure to support new housing in greenfield areas would be eased; much of our countryside would be preserved; and, crucially, we would be investing in the future of our town and city centres and their communities." The Civitas report says that while there is tax relief available to meet the cost of clearing up brownfield land, the rules and regulations make it "almost impossible to obtain". The Daily Telegraph, Page: 8 Yorkshire Post, Page: 4