Recent Greenfield Developments Build Car Dependency in England, Report Says

Transport for New Homes, a U.K.-based advocacy organization, has published a report finding that new housing developments in England are adding to congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and car dependence.

The "Building Car Dependency" report "examines 20 new housing developments across England to find out whether they are built around sustainable transport – or the car," according to the report's website.

The recent report updates a similar report published in 2018—and finds few examples of non-car-dependent progress since that time. According to the report, outlier examples of greenfield development with sustainable mobility options include Hampton Park in Peterborough, Poundbury in Dorset, and Derwenthorpe in York.

"Rather than the walkable, green, and sustainable places that both the Government and developers envisage for future living, new greenfield housing has become even more car-based than before and the trend has extended to surrounding areas, with out-of-town retail, leisure, food outlets and employment orientated around new road systems," according to the website.

The report attracted the interest of multiple international and national media outlets. Roger Harrabin, BBC environmental analyst, picked up the news. Laura Laker also picked up the news of the report for The Guardian.