Developers will refuse build new homes on brownfield land in a bid to force councils release more profitable greenfield sites under new planning laws, MPs and heritage groups have warned.
MPs on the Communities and local government select committee said that ministers should consider giving local authorities the power to block developments on greenfield sites if brownfield land is unused by developers.
Historic England, the heritage body, warned that there was a risk that developers may deliberately delay developing “more challenging” brownfield sites.
The MPs said: “…the Government should set out how its proposals will overcome the potential cost barriers to the development of brownfield sites, and the steps it will take to encourage the development of such sites in order to meet local housing needs.”