Report: 11% of Homes Built on Brownfield Sites at Risk

Eleven percent of new homes built on brownfield land have suffered problems as a result of the land the property is built on, affecting a total of 74,000 homes in the last 10 years, according to a report by home insurer LV=.

The most common problem is flooding, but there are also cases of contamination, poor drainage, and sewage problems.

Over the next decade around 500,000 homes will be built on redeveloped ex-industrial sites, also known as brownfield land, potentially posing risks to homeowners and their homes.

In recent years, 79 percent of all new builds is on recycled land because redeveloping brownfield sites is a cornerstone of the current national housing policy. One of the drivers behind the current policy encouraging house builders to redevelop land is the creation of affordable homes for first-time buyers. Many feel that this is the only option available to them through local authority shared ownership schemes, as many of these properties are new builds. Others say they are persuaded to buy new build homes because of added incentives.

Currently, 34 percent of prospective buyers are unaware of the problems associated with former industrial land and 24 percent do not check the previous use of the land a house is built on.

LV= is advising potential buyers to check the previous use of the land a house is built on before committing to a purchase, by speaking to neighbors, checking old maps, or commissioning a full environmental report to ensure they do not experience problems once they’ve moved in.

Source: LV=