New PM 'should boost urban renewal'

Prime minister Gordon Brown has a "great opportunity" to improve the way in which brownfield land is used across the UK, it has been suggested.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has said that efforts to recycle brownfield land have seen "good progress" made, but that new recommendations published this week can help overcome the remaining barriers to the restoration of such sites.

"A more joined-up approach on the part of the government would make a big difference. The recent decision by HM Treasury to end the exemption of vacant properties from business rates is welcome but further reform is needed," CPRE senior planning officer Kate Gordon noted.

English Partnerships' national brownfield advisor professor Paul Syms has commented that a new strategy could completely transform the sector.

"Communities could be completely turned around – as we have already seen in many areas, proving there is a real opportunity for landowners to bring forward more sites for regeneration," he commented.


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