Brownfield use increases

The proportion of homes built on previously developed land increased in 2007 as did the density of residential development. Figures released by the UK Statistics Authority for land use change show that 77 per cent of homes, including conversions, were built on previously developed land, slightly up from 76 per cent in 2006, and only 2 per cent of new homes were built within the greenbelt – a figure unchanged since 2004. New homes were built at an average density of 44 per hectare, compared with 41 in 2006.