Digital Fields of Brown
January 10, 2019
Robert Hayward
2973 Views
Brownfield land registers(1) were introduced in 2017 as a way of providing up-to-date and consistent information on previously developed sites that are appropriate for residential development.
Local planning authorities (LPAs) are required to prepare, maintain and publish registers of previously developed land, and review their registers at least once a year.
LPAs are also required to prepare and publish their registers in line with a data standard(2). This involves completing a spreadsheet with information on a set of attributes, such as site address and site area, for each site.
The data standard guidance states that “it is essential that the registers published by LPAs are consistent and published in an open data format to ensure that they can be aggregated by users of the data”.
However, after reviewing several brownfield land registers, most LPAs enter data incorrectly; for example, the data is stored in the wrong place, and additional data is provided but not required. This is despite clear guidance notes published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
A further drawback is that there is no straightforward way of downloading all brownfield registers in one go. The Government’s open data website(3) allows you to search for brownfield registers, but only on an individual local authority basis; and in some cases, brownfield registers are not available, so the local authority website has to be checked.
Given that there are over 300 local authorities, it would be a time-consuming exercise to gather all registers. It is helpful if you are a developer only looking for sites in one local authority, but not helpful if you are looking to aggregate the data for analysis, which was the intention of the data standard in the first place.
Despite its current drawbacks, the data standard is an excellent idea and it should be applied to other plans and policies, so data can be aggregated nationally for spatial analysis and information purposes. For example, there is no consistent national data available on made neighbourhood plans, local development orders, and housing market areas; and with the introduction of statements of common ground(4), there is the opportunity for a data standard that records the administrative areas covered by the statement, the housing requirements and distribution of needs in the statement area, and where unmet housing needs are being met.
MHCLG should therefore explore other opportunities for data standards and consider putting more regulations in place to get consistent and comprehensive data from local planning authorities.
·Robert Hayward is a Principal Planner at David Lock Associates. The views expressed are personal.
1 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/brownfield-land-registers#the-purpose-of-brownfield-land-registers
2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/brownfield-land-registers-data-standard
3 https://data.gov.uk/
4 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-making#maintaining-effective-cooperation

Robert Hayward
Associate
RELATED NEWS
Refurbishment of Mortimer Square, The Hub Milton Keynes
September 13, 2023
The square was in need of refurbishment to create a more usable and attractive public space, that also benefitted the business that operate out of the area.
Recruiting Planners
August 15, 2023
We are currently recruiting MRTPI chartered planners/senior planners to join our dynamic planning and masterplanning practice.
Mexborough Futures Masterplan
August 2, 2023
The City of Doncaster Council have produced the Mexborough Futures Masterplan, a comprehensive masterplan to guide future investments and address key challenges in Mexborough Town Centre.
Policy Considerations for Site Allocations
July 31, 2023
One of the main purposes of local plans is to allocate sites to deliver strategic priorities. But what is in national policy and guidance to help authorities and practitioners with this process – from identifying sites to assessing sites to selecting sites for allocation.
End of Term Report
July 21, 2023
As we reach the end of the academic summer term, we’ve taken a look back at some of our activities in helping encourage and inspire the next generation of planners and urban designers.
DLA Working Towards Planet Mark Certification
July 18, 2023
We are proud to announce that we are working with Planet Mark to measure and reduce our carbon footprint, ensuring that we build further on sustainability in our business practices.
Resolution to Grant Bluehayes Community
July 13, 2023
The new Bluehayes community will consist of 870 additional homes and is a key part of the planned growth for Cranbrook which will take it to 8,000 new homes.
Detailed Planning Permission Secured for Baytree Leeds
June 28, 2023
David Lock Associates (DLA), on behalf of our client Baytree Logistics Development Ltd, has secured detailed planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Maritime container depot in Leeds.
David Lock Awarded with Ebenezer Howard Medal
June 20, 2023
At the TCPA Parliamentary Reception yesterday evening, our founder David Lock, was presented with the Ebenezer Howard Medal which recognises the outstanding contribution of recipients to delivering the Garden City Principles.
Active Design Guidance Update Launches
May 24, 2023
The updated Active Design Guidance was released recently, drafted by DLA on behalf of our clients Sport England.