21 Sep 2026
New research from CPRE suggests that previously developed land across England could accommodate more than 1.54 million new homes, slightly exceeding the Government’s national target of delivering 1.5 million homes during this Parliament.
The findings are based on CPRE’s analysis of local authority brownfield registers. It found that the amount of previously developed land identified as suitable for housing has continued to grow, with potential capacity increasing each year since its first audit in 2018.
According to the research, approximately 846,000 potential homes on brownfield sites have already received planning permission but have not yet been built.
CPRE is calling for a stronger “brownfield-first” approach to housing delivery.
Its recommendations include focusing Homes England investment on previously developed sites, providing targeted funding to unlock sites that are not currently commercially viable and setting enforceable requirements for affordable and social housing.
The organisation also argues that mayors and strategic authorities should have greater freedom to set housing targets based on local need and demand.
The research raises important questions about how national housing targets are distributed and how development can be directed towards the most sustainable locations. However, brownfield availability varies considerably across England.
Making better use of previously developed land must therefore sit alongside policies that address the distinct housing needs of rural communities.
In many rural areas, the central challenge is not simply the overall number of homes but the availability of properties of the right size and tenure, at prices local people can afford. Meeting those needs will require proportionate development, including on smaller rural sites, supported by appropriate infrastructure and services.
