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The Evidence Base for Decisions

Brownfield vs Greenfield: Planning Policy Guidance Note on Housing, PPG3 (March 2000). Brownfield' = Previously developed land (PDL) that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excl. agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed surface infrastructureinc. curtilage of th

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The Evidence Base for Decisions

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    1. The Evidence Base for Decisions Dr Ian Gibson MP Chair, Hoc Science & Technology Select Committee

    2. Brownfield vs Greenfield: Planning Policy Guidance Note on Housing, PPG3 (March 2000) ‘Brownfield’ = Previously developed land (PDL) – ‘that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excl. agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed surface infrastructure…inc. curtilage of the development’ Excludes: land and buildings currently used for agriculture or forestry purposes; land in built-up areas like park, allotments etc; PDL where remains of any structure or activity have blended into the landscape; where there is a clear reason to outweigh re-use of the site

    3. Clear-cut Definitions? All of the land within the curtilage (area attached to a building) of the site also defined as PDL – but guidance states that this does not mean that that whole area be redeveloped – up to local planning authority to judge according to other considerations, such as protection of urban open spaces and landscaping requirements. Guidance may rule out rather extreme possibilities of developing extensive grounds on sites where a small part has been previously developed, but does not deal, for example, with the case of a house with a large garden – where do we draw the boundaries?

    4. How are Decisions Made? Current case in Norfolk – Bernard Matthews wanting a disused village airfield to be designated as brownfield – could raise its value to Ł100 million and add 7000 houses to a village of a few hundred But 84% of the land had not been used for buildings, which some argue makes it a greenfield site that should be used for farming

    5. The Risks of Brownfield Development Greenfield sites more appealing for developers because risks lower and returns higher, even though greenfield land values have risen 226% in last 8 years European Court of Justice ruling means that many ‘brownfield’ sites earmarked for development, often contaminated, will be reclassified as ‘landfill’ and could make building costs prohibitive Could rule out many areas in Thames Gateway corridor and in proposed townships in south of England

    6. ‘Sustainable communities’ Properties built on registered ‘landfill’ sites could become worthless and difficult to secure a mortgage on Harder to combine development of brownfield sites in rural areas (e.g. redundant agricultural buildings) with sustainability because of related issues like transport requirements

    7. ‘Evidence Based Policy’ Key phrase in Government, but what does it really mean? How much evidence do we need to make policy? How often is lack of evidence cited as an excuse to not act politically? Can policy ever be truly evidence based? Does evidence generate policy or vice versa?

    8. The Evidence Base for Decisions Can there be a clear definition of ‘viable brownfield sites’? Is the Govt target of building 60% of housing on brownfield land by 2008 too high or too low? Why 60%? How much science has gone into the classifying and earmarking of sites? What kind of evidence should we basing decisions on: land quality? local demand? Potential property values? Is this strategy driven by people’s everyday needs and the need for regeneration, or the growth economy?

    9. Research Evolving knowledge, can never be entirely conclusive, often with unpredictable outcomes At what point is there enough evidence to formulate policy? How are research priorities decided? Two drivers: Economic benefits – disproportionate emphasis on this? Social benefits – wellbeing – enough emphasis on this? Can policy implementation such as brownfield development wait for research?

    10. The Importance of Research ‘Evidence’ takes a variety of forms and we need to approach decisions from several angles – Brownfiled development a clear case for multifaceted, ‘joined-up’ thinking Politics often short term – needs to be seen as responding promptly to developments, while research long term and a gradual process Politics chooses when to wait for research and when not to - opportunism Scientists and researchers need to engage more with politics and the media and push for evidence driven policy rather than policy driven evidence

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