Thousands of homes could be built on Devon brownfield sites

CPRE, the environmental charity, has found that disused brownfield sites could accommodate these houses.

The charity advocates for sustainable planning and believes this could prevent further encroachment on undeveloped land across the county.

According to CPRE, the available brownfield sites already have the potential to accommodate more than 76,000 homes across the South West.

More than half of these sites already have planning permission, allowing for rapid development.

This could significantly reduce the need to develop on productive farmland and untouched greenfield land.

In Devon, Plymouth has the most available brownfield sites, with 154 areas that could accommodate more than 9,600 homes.

Almost half of the brownfield area already has full or outline planning permission, enough space for 4,446 new houses.

Torbay has the potential to build 1,332 homes on its 100 brownfield sites.

Up to 409 homes could be built on brownfield land that already has planning permission.

Penny Mills, director of Devon CPRE, said: "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."

She pointed out that brownfield sites are usually closer to existing facilities, such as public transport and schools.

Devon CPRE questioned why these sites, many of which have planning permission, are not being prioritised over greenfield sites.

They believe that transforming abandoned brownfield areas into housing developments could rejuvenate communities and attract new residents and businesses.

However, CPRE has voiced concern over eleventh-hour amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

They believe these amendments could result in a "dangerous erosion of democracy."

Ms Mills said: "This could sound the death knell for democracy in our planning system, as we know it.

"They are an astounding capitulation to the same big developers that have consistently failed to deliver the homes people need.

"How on earth can anyone, let alone our government, think this is acceptable?"

Roger Mortlock, CPRE chief executive, added: "Giving ministers powers to override local council rejections further strips communities of their voice in decisions that affect their areas, as does restricting access to judicial review.

"CPRE's research shows there is enough brownfield land in England for more than 1.4m new homes.

"What's required isn't the removal of democratic safeguards, but a shake-up of our broken housing market and proper investment in a planning system that works for communities, not just big developers."