Why aren’t we building on more brownfield sites – and why should we?

The debate surrounding the need to develop brownfield sites is an important one. Such redevelopment cleans up, decontaminates and restores land.

Many existing brownfield sites are contaminated due to past industrial or commercial uses. Depending on its former use, land may be host to a range of toxins. These could include anything from metals to asbestos, to petroleum to pesticides, to solvents and PCBs.

Such toxins may pose severe health and safety risks for those who live and work near to brownfield properties.

Yet when abandoned, contaminants are also left uncontrolled and may migrate off-site and cause hazards for others further afield.

So …read more