The Mayor of the East Midlands has set out the importance of building new homes on brownfield land as a key part of plans to tackle the region’s housing challenges and support long-term regeneration.
Brownfield land – previously developed sites which are now derelict or underused – offers a major opportunity to deliver much-needed homes while making better use of land that already has existing infrastructure and community connections.
Prioritising developments on brownfield will bring neglected sites back into productive use and strengthen local communities, while protecting green spaces. By regenerating derelict and underused sites, new developments can contribute to healthier lives, stronger neighbourhoods, and improved local environments.
Building on brownfield land also supports the creation of high-quality places, with a focus on sustainability, good design, and low-carbon construction.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “One of the biggest challenges facing our region right now is access to safe, warm, and affordable homes. That’s why we’re building new homes on brownfield land.
“These are sites that were developed in the past but are now sitting empty or underused. By building here, we can regenerate neglected areas and support local communities, while protecting our green spaces at the same time.
“Regeneration isn’t just about buildings – it’s about making the East Midlands a place everybody is proud to call home.”
The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is already making great progress here. EMCCA has received more than £36 million from the Government’s Brownfield Housing Fund to unlock stalled housing developments across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
To deliver the Brownfield Housing Fund, EMCCA is partnering with councils and developers across the region to allocate the grant funding to kick-start housing projects.
Over the next 10 years, Mayor Claire’s ambition is to deliver 100,000 homes, helping ensure every community has access to safe, warm housing that meets their needs. This includes increasing the supply of affordable homes, supporting young people into home ownership, and addressing housing affordability pressures across the region.
To turn this ambition into a reality, EMCCA and Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, have signed a Strategic Place Partnership. EMCCA is now working with Homes England to attract more investment and speed up the building of housing projects in the region, providing local people with greater access to high-quality homes.
Regeneration of brownfield land is also under way in the region’s cities. EMCCA is supporting Nottingham’s Broad Marsh redevelopment by committing more than £3m of its Investment Fund to the demolition of the former shopping centre. Work is already under way to clear the site, which will then become the home of a NHS Community Diagnostic Centre, with full demolition scheduled to begin in early 2026.