CPRE research reveals more than 16,700 new homes in Devon could be built on brownfield land

16,706 new homes in Devon could be built on disused brownfield sites without concreting over any more green fields, according to new research from CPRE, the environmental charity that campaigns for better planning policies and land use.

Across the South West, the charity says brownfield sites could accommodate more than 76,000 new homes – on average 60% of these sites already have full or outline planning permission, meaning they could be developed rapidly and reduce the need to encroach on undeveloped greenfield land and productive farmland. The government’s target of building almost 40,000 new homes per year across the region could be achieved for almost two years by repurposing brownfield sites.

The latest available data for Devon shows that Plymouth has the highest number of available brownfield sites - 154, covering an area of around 220 hectares, enough to build a minimum of 9,663 dwellings. Almost half of the brownfield area available in Plymouth already has full or outline planning permission, enough space for 4,446 new houses. Torbay has 100 brownfield sites, enough for 1,332 new dwellings. 409 homes in Torbay could be built on brownfield land that already has planning permission.

Elsewhere in the county, Teignbridge has 70 sites, North Devon 33, Torridge 32, Exeter 28, East Devon 27, South Hams 12, Mid Devon 8 and West Devon 4. Even Devon’s two national parks have brownfield land available for construction. Dartmoor has 7 sites, where 19 new homes could be built, and Exmoor has 1, where 9 homes could be built.

Penny Mills, Director of Devon CPRE, says: “Brownfield land should be the first port of call for building the affordable homes that Devon badly needs. A ‘brownfield-first’ approach would not only meet housing demand more quickly, but also minimise the environmental impact associated with urban sprawl and undeveloped countryside.

“For years, Devon CPRE has campaigned for the right number and type of homes to be built in the right locations. Brownfield sites are typically closer to existing infrastructure, such as public transport, schools, and healthcare facilities. If so many of them already have some form of planning permission, why aren’t they being built on, instead of putting massive housing estates on our green fields? It makes no sense at all.”

The new research gathered data from Local Authority brownfield registers up to 2024, the most recent figures available. CPRE says the revitalisation of abandoned and disused brownfield areas can regenerate communities, fostering social and economic growth. By transforming neglected spaces into vibrant housing developments, a brownfield-first policy would attract new residents and businesses to urban areas.