The Land use change statistics 2015 to 2016 show that only 28% of land changing to residential use was previously developed land, down from an estimated 36% in 2014-15.
The main types of land changing to residential use, as measured by area, were:
– Vacant land non-previously developed: 34%
– Agriculture: 17%
– Other developed use: 12 %
A substantial number of residential gardens were used for development.
In 2015-16, 2% of new residential addresses created were within the Green Belt. This is a decrease from the 3% recorded in 2014-15. In 2015-16, 57 % of new residential addresses created within the Green Belt were built on previously-developed land. This is an increase on the 56 % recorded in 2014- 15.