Land redevelopment opportunities, including new homes, in London are set to be transformed, thanks to a new freely available online tool, launched by the London Development Agency (LDA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Open to all, the London Brownfield Sites Database is the country's most comprehensive database of land available for redevelopment. This is accompanied by a London specific Best Practice Guide to brownfield land in London.

The Database records around 2,300 previously developed "brownfield" sites across London, equivalent to more than 2% of the land in Greater London. This is an increase of over 1,000 sites than was recorded on the previous National Land Use Database (NLUD) system.

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Using up-to-the minute Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, this includes transport routes, deprivation, social infrastructure, as well as heritage and natural environment assets. This is made possible by an Ordnance Survey mapping base that allows additional information to be overlaid. Visitors to the Database website will be able to identify sites suitable for development, and better explore and understand a site's context.

At a time when developers are seeking greater certainty over site availability and site suitability, this information will help to establish clear redevelopment opportunities. Other regional stakeholders such as the Environment Agency, and English Heritage have contributed to the system. London Boroughs can use the data to inform their policies, site specific allocations, and housing and employment land availability assessments.

The HCA has said it will now use the Database as their preferred platform for other London Boroughs to record brownfield sites.

(CD/GK)