Brownfield sites for development in the UK
Search every local authority’s brownfield register on the same map as INSPIRE parcels, HM Land Registry ownership, live planning applications, constraints and sold prices. Score sites, approach owners, close deals — from £49 a month.
What is brownfield land?
Brownfield land is previously developed land — former factories, warehouses, offices, petrol stations, care homes, cleared housing plots. The National Planning Policy Framework prioritises it for new housing, so brownfield sites often carry a policy tailwind that greenfield or Green Belt sites don’t.
Every English local planning authority publishes a brownfield land register under the 2017 regulations, listing sites with development potential. LandHunt joins those registers with INSPIRE parcel boundaries, HM Land Registry ownership, planning history and constraint layers on one map, so you can screen and score sites in one workflow rather than five.
Why developers target brownfield first
Policy support
NPPF paragraph 124 gives “substantial weight” to redeveloping brownfield land. Many authorities run brownfield-first policies.
Permitted development
Class E to residential (Class MA), Class Q agricultural conversions and other PDRs let you skip full planning consent on qualifying sites.
Existing infrastructure
Roads, utilities, drainage and grid connections are usually already in place, cutting build costs and delivery risk vs a greenfield start.
Brownfield sites by area
Pick a town to see brownfield activity, sold-price context and how to source sites in that area. Coverage focused on post-industrial cities and towns where brownfield register activity is genuine.
Brownfield sites, common questions
What counts as a brownfield site?
In UK planning terms, a brownfield site is land that has been previously developed — typically former industrial, commercial or institutional use, but also demolished housing and cleared plots. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) encourages councils to prioritise brownfield land for new housing to protect greenfield and Green Belt sites.
How do I find brownfield sites for sale in the UK?
Three good sources: (1) every English local planning authority is required to publish a brownfield land register (Regulation 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017); (2) commercial platforms like LandHunt combine those registers with live ownership data, planning history and sold prices on one map; (3) direct outreach to landowners once the sites are shortlisted.
Are brownfield sites easier to get planning permission on?
Often, yes. NPPF paragraph 124 gives 'substantial weight' to the redevelopment of brownfield land, and many authorities have specific brownfield-first policies. Permitted development rights also allow certain commercial buildings to convert to residential without full planning consent. Contamination, remediation costs and access constraints are the usual counterweights.
How much do brownfield sites cost?
Brownfield land prices vary enormously by location, size, planning status and remediation need. A small urban infill plot in a northern town might change hands for £30-100k, while an allocated brownfield site in the South East can run to millions per acre. LandHunt shows sold prices for surrounding areas and lets you run a residual land value on any plot you save.
How does LandHunt help with brownfield search?
LandHunt puts every brownfield register entry on the same map as INSPIRE parcels, HM Land Registry ownership, planning applications, constraints (Green Belt, conservation, flood zones) and sold prices. You can filter by size, tenure and planning status, generate landowner letters, and score every site for approval likelihood before you commit to a viewing. From £49/month, month-to-month.
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