27. September 2016

Glossary

Brownfield developments

The term refers to building works on plots pre-used for industrial purposes over long periods of time, or to special development areas formerly zoned as railway sites, for instance. Such areas may also include former military sites or backfilled open-pit mines. Land of this type is in any case subject to extensive repurposing, and often implies elevated threats of soil contamination or unstable subsoil conditions. This increases the potential cost risk in the form of waste disposal costs or measures to stabilise the subsoil, among others. A residual risk of follow-up costs remains even beyond the completion of such works (redevelopment, decontamination, etc.). On the bright side, brownfield sites often come with superb transport links that date back to their previous use for industrial purposes or because they used to be frequented by heavy goods traffic. Development costs can thus be lower than those of greenfield development, not least because the planning permission is already in place. Whether or not the existing permit can be used for the contemplated development must be clarified on a case to case basis.