An analysis of the UK development industry's role in brownfield regeneration

Purpose - This study aims to provide a review of brownfield policy and the emerging sustainable development agenda in the UK, and to examine the development industry's (both commercial and residential) role and attitudes towards brownfield regeneration and contaminated land.Design methodology a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of property investment & finance 2006-11, Vol.24 (6), p.521-541
Main Authors: Dixon, Tim, Pocock, Yasmin, Waters, Mike
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brownfield sites
Brownfields
Climate change
Contamination
Economic growth
Environmental policy
Income distribution
Landfill
Real estate developments
Soil contamination
Stigma
Studies
Sustainable development
Urban renewal
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Purpose - This study aims to provide a review of brownfield policy and the emerging sustainable development agenda in the UK, and to examine the development industry's (both commercial and residential) role and attitudes towards brownfield regeneration and contaminated land.Design methodology approach - The paper analyses results from a two-stage survey of commercial and residential developers carried out in mid-2004, underpinned by structured interviews with 11 developers.Findings - The results suggest that housebuilding on brownfield is no longer the preserve of specialists, and is now widespread throughout the industry in the UK. The redevelopment of contaminated sites for residential use could be threatened by the impact of the EU Landfill Directive. The findings also suggest that developers are not averse to developing on contaminated sites, although post-remediation stigma remains an issue. The market for warranties and insurance continues to evolve.Research limitations implications - The survey is based on a sample which represents nearly 30 per cent of UK volume housebuilding. Although the response in the smaller developer groups was relatively under-represented, non-response bias was not found to be a significant issue. More research is needed to assess the way in which developers approach brownfield regeneration at a local level.Practical implications - The research suggests that clearer Government guidance in the UK is needed on how to integrate concepts of sustainability in brownfield development and that EU policy, which has been introduced for laudable aims, is creating tensions within the development industry. There may be an emphasis towards greenfield development in the future, as the implications of the Barker review are felt.Originality value - This is a national survey of developers' attitudes towards brownfield development in the UK, following the Barker Review, and highlights key issues in UK and EU policy layers.
ISSN:1463-578X
1470-2002
DOI:10.1108/14635780610708310