The Department for Communities and Local Government estimate that 63,500 hectares of previously developed land was available for development in 2005. Forty four per cent (27,600 hectares) of this land was judged to be suitable for housing, with the remaining land available for other uses such as commerce or recreation.

In the three south-east regions, where demand for housing is highest, it is estimated that there is enough land to accommodate over 400,000 new homes.

The statistics show that there are still many new "brownfield" sites being made available every year, despite a record-breaking seventy four percent of all new developments already being built on previously used land. This improved use of brownfield land is reflected in an eleven percent reduction in the amount of land left lying derelict or vacant compared to five years ago. 

Lords Planning Minister, Baroness Kay Andrews said:

“There is a real need to build more homes if we are to meet the housing needs of future generations and these statistics show that many of these could go on re-used sites.

Baroness Kay Andrews added: “In some areas it may be necessary to bring forward other sites if we are to meet local demand, but there are other areas where local authorities could be doing more with the land that is already available. By making the most of suitable brownfield land, local authorities can continue to protect the countryside whilst ensuring there are more homes available for first time buyers."

Seventy four per cent of all new developments are currently built on "brownfield" land, up from fifty six per cent in 1997. Draft planning policy on housing (PPS 3) encourage local authorities to continue to consider how to best use previously developed sites and proposes new requirements for them to develop "brownfield" strategies, including pro-active work to bring suitable" brownfield" land into development.