Housing
There are many fantastic Gleeson developments , including in areas of deprivation and severe housing need that could not have been delivered
“
Mark Knight www . gleesonhomes . co . uk
It is a critical issue that we fear is set to stifle a generation
had the new biodiversity net gain rules been in place at the time .
The rules are expected to disproportionately impact housebuilders of different sizes and business models . As previously described , Gleeson ’ s focus on developing brownfield sites is , by its nature , a more sustainable and valueenhancing method of housebuilding . Meanwhile , brownfield sites already often
Mark Knight is Chief Executive of Gleeson Homes , a mediumsized affordable housebuilder and part of MJ Gleeson plc . Specialising in low-cost , quality homes , Gleeson Homes caters mostly to young , first-time buyers who would ordinarily struggle to get onto the property ladder . It focuses on building homes in areas where they are needed most , with the majority of sites being located within the North and the Midlands of England .
“ face significantly higher development costs , due to requirements around demolition and remediation works . Conversely , greenfield sites , traditionally used for agriculture , often have a very low baseline biodiversity value meaning developers are in fact incentivised to prioritise those over brownfield . To put it simply , it is easier and cheaper to achieve the required biodiversity net gain through developing greenfield sites than brownfield . To give an example , in Yorkshire the
upcoming biodiversity net gain framework
is expected to cost an extra £ 1411 per brownfield plot , but £ 269 for greenfield .
All of this clearly runs contrary to the strong political push from the government to focus on developing brownfield land , and away from the Green Belt . It also goes some way to negate the objectives of the levelling up agenda so often espoused by successive administrations .
It is clear to us that , while ticking the boxes of environmentally focused legislators , many of the requirements of the new biodiversity net gain rules will negate much of the biodiversity gain we already secure and , moreover , hinder the provision of much-needed new housing , particularly in the affordable subset of the market where we operate . We hope that the concerns of the sector are fully considered by the government ahead of their agreement and implementation later this year . ■
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