This paper reports upon a two year research project Releasing Brownfields, which examined the reasons why some developers are actively involved in the redevelopment of brownfield sites, whilst others will not undertake such development at any price. The first phase of the research examined the decision making processes, undertaken consciously or unconsciously by developers and their advisers, when deciding whether or not to embark upon a brownfield redevelopment project. This involved a questionnaire survey of more than 100 surveyors, developers and other professionals involved in the redevelopment process. The second phase of the project involved dissemination of the first phase results through a series of seminars and conferences, enlarging the participation of development and professional actors, resulting in publication of findings relating to the decision making process. The third phase of the research was to take 40 factors, identified in the first two phases as being important to the decision making process, and determine the extent to which these actually hinder (prevent or slow down) or assist the redevelopment process - the hurdles and spurs. The methodology used was face-to-face interviews with 100 professionals, all but five of whom were new to the research, having an involvement with brownfield redevelopment. These were divided into four groups - surveyors (appraisers and development advisers), lawyers (property transactions and environmental), planners (town planners, environmental consultants and engineers), and property developers (including investors, corporate property owners and representatives of owners organisations). In addition to being asked to indicate perceptions as to the importance of the 40 factors, the interviewees were asked about relationships with regulators - the Environment Agency, environmental health departments, town planning and building control. Opinions were also sought as to the effectiveness, or otherwise, of legislation. The results of the first three phases were consolidated into an interim report, which was sent out for consultation stage to government, professional and trade organisations - phase four of the project. The consultation results were then used to revise and expand the interim report, which was disseminated to the questionnaire respondents and interviewees, from phases one and three of the study, for their final input. The final report is due to be published in the summer of 2000.

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