Measures included in the budget to promote the development of brownfield land for new homes have been welcomed by the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA).

In February the British Property Federation argued that tax incentives for building on brownfield land were not effective enough.

Consequently chancellor Alistair Darling announced in his 2008 budget that the government will consult on draft legislation for reforms to both land remediation relief and landfill tax exemption for waste from the clean up of contaminated sites.

Kate Henderson, communications manager for the TCPA, said: `The chancellor is right to incentivise brownfield development as we begin to face increasingly challenging sites, the excess of families over our stock of homes is enduring and even if slowing prices bring homes within reach for a few, many more continue to rely on plans being laid for more homes.`

She added that while contamination has often held back the development of brownfield sites, huge progress has been made technically, legally and administratively in dealing with contaminated land.