Sustainable Place-Making: Exploring Alternative Uses for Derelict, Vacant & Marginal Brownfield Sites

Local councils across the UK have vacant, derelict and brownfield sites, “eye-sores” which are not deemed suitable for development, or are part of longer-term regeneration schemes which will take some years to be realised, and in the meantime stand empty.

Furthermore, changes to planning policy and the forthcoming Environment Bill mean developers will be required to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain on developments in England. This can be challenging when re-developing vacant or derelict land that has already developed significant biodiversity in previous years.

Sometimes the best potential re-use of sites is through developing community greenspaces which promote biodiversity and carbon capture opportunities, whilst enhancing social value and community well-being.

This discussion brings together a number of panellists involved with projects to make better use of marginal and vacant brownfield sites, either on an interim basis, or for soft-end uses as part of wider regeneration projects. It will provide insight into the benefits of these projects in achieving social, natural capital and sustainability goals and enabling local Authorities to make good use of brownfield sites in their portfolio.

Panellists:

• Gail Atkinson, Project Leader: Climate Change Adaptation, Forest Research
• Jon Davies, Technical Director, RSK Biocensus & Head of RSK Wilding
• Josh Rawson, Business Development Manager, Square Mile Farms