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Landwise: Gloucestershire’s Brownfield Land Survey Project
LandWise is our county‑wide brownfield survey project that gives people across Gloucestershire a simple, practical way to report brownfield sites and help protect our countryside and green spaces.
This volunteer‑led initiative will identify and assess brownfield land across the county, helping to build a clearer, more complete picture of land that could be reused for development.
By doing this, LandWise supports our long‑standing “brownfield first” policy – ensuring that previously developed land is considered before green spaces are put at risk.
GET INVOLVEDWhy this project matters
LandWise responds directly to national findings that show major gaps in brownfield evidence. Nearly 40% of local planning authorities do not have an up‑to‑date brownfield register, and almost 1 in 10 have not updated theirs for over five years.
By capturing local knowledge and on‑the‑ground insight, LandWise helps close this evidence gap and ensures planning decisions are based on the fullest possible understanding of available land.
By uncovering overlooked brownfield sites, LandWise will:
- Campaign to bring neglected land back into productive use
- Champion sustainable development where infrastructure already exists
- Empower communities with greater confidence, knowledge, and a stronger voice in planning and policy
- Help reduce pressure on Gloucestershire’s countryside and green spaces
What is brownfield land – and why does it matter in decision making?
Brownfield land is land that has previously been developed and is now unused or underused, such as disused industrial sites, vacant offices, or other built‑on areas.
As development targets continue to place increasing pressure on our countryside, brownfield sites represent a largely untapped opportunity. Making better use of this land can help meet development needs without sacrificing our countryside.
CPRE’s State of Brownfield 2025 report shows that there is enough brownfield land across England to support at least 1.41 million homes – a figure that has increased by 16% in just one year. Crucially, more than half of these homes (around 770,000) already have planning permission. Despite this, brownfield land remains underused, while pressure continues to grow on greenfield and rural sites. LandWise aims to change that.
Get involved – support your countryside!
We are now recruiting volunteers to join us as Brownfield Mappers.
Working with our Project Manager and supported by our volunteer resources, you’ll help investigate and survey sites for inclusion in our county‑wide database. Your local knowledge could make a real difference to how and where development happens.
Click the button below to visit our volunteer hub, find out more, and register today. Alternatively, you can contact our Project Manager, Eve, directly at eve@cpreglos.org.uk
Get involved
Thank you to our funders
This project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of The National Lottery Community Fund and The Summerfield Charitable Trust, whose funding is helping us deliver this important work across Gloucestershire.
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