LANDWISE: Gloucestershire's Brownfield Survey Project
Kindly supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and The Summerfield Charitable Trust
The project responds directly to national findings that highlight significant gaps in brownfield land evidence.
Nearly 40% of local planning authorities do not have an up-to-date brownfield register, and almost one in ten have not updated theirs for more than five years. As a result, potentially suitable sites can be overlooked, making it harder for planning decisions to be based on a complete and accurate picture of available land.
At the same time, CPRE’s State of Brownfield 2025 report found that there is enough brownfield land across England to support at least 1.41 million homes, a figure that increased by 16% in just one year. More than half of these potential homes, around 770,000, already have planning permission. Yet despite this significant capacity, brownfield land remains underused while pressure on greenfield and rural sites continues to grow.
By capturing local knowledge and on-the-ground insight from communities across Gloucestershire, LandWise helps close this evidence gap. The information gathered creates a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of brownfield land across the county, supporting better-informed planning decisions and encouraging the reuse of previously developed land before development is considered on greenfield sites.
Through LandWise, local people can play a direct role in championing smarter, more sustainable development that makes the best use of previously developed land while helping to safeguard Gloucestershire’s countryside and green spaces for generations to come. In doing so, the project supports CPRE Gloucestershire’s long-standing commitment to a “brownfield first” approach to development.
Do you know a brownfield site in your area?
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our growing team of Brownfield Mappers!
Working alongside our Project Manager and supported by training, guidance and volunteer resources, you’ll help identify, investigate and survey brownfield sites for inclusion in our county-wide LandWise database.
Whether you’re passionate about planning, conservation, mapping, local history, or simply care about your community, your local knowledge can make a real difference. By helping us build a clearer picture of available brownfield land, you’ll be supporting smarter development and helping to protect Gloucestershire’s countryside and green spaces!
Visit our Volunteer Hub to learn more about the role and register your interest today. Alternatively, you can contact our Project Manager, Eve, directly at eve@cpreglos.org.uk. Together, we can put local knowledge on the map.
